fSnjgiij 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


The  Dawn  of  the  World 


Briton  Riviere 


“  In  the  beginning . the  earth  was  void  and  empty;  and 

darkness  was  upon  the  face  of  the  deep;  and  the  Spirit  of  God  moved 
over  the  waters.” — Genesis  1-1,  2. 


The  Divine  Twilight 


OLD  TESTAMENT  STORIES 
IN  SCRIPTURE  LANGUAGE 

SEPARATED  OUT,  SET  IN  CONNECTED  ORDER,  AND 
EDITED  WITH  NOTES,  FOR  CATHOLIC 

CHILDREN 


BY 


Rev.  Cornelius  Joseph  Holland,  S.  T.  L 


Author  of  The  Divine  Story 


with  a  preface  by 


Rt.  Rev.  Mgr.  Thomas  J.  Shahan,  S.  T.  D.,  J.U.  L. 

Rector  of  the  Catholic  University  of  America 


PROFUSELY  ILLUSTRATED 


MAPS 


Catholic  Scripture  Texts  Society 
Providence,  R.  I. 


BOSTON  COLLEGE  L'SRARY 

ChLSTNL 


Nihil  Ohstat : 

P.  E.  Blessing,  S.  T.  D. 

Censor  Dcputatus 


Imprimatur : 

*  Matthew  Harkins 

Bishop  of  Providence 


Copyright  1913  by  Cornelius  Joseph  Holland 
First  edition,  December,  1913 


providence,  r.  1. 
Remington  Press 
1913 


©a  tije  iK^monj 
of 

My  Stater 


F.^aQ 


CONTENTS 


Preface . xiii 

I.  The  Dawn  of  the  World: 

The  Creation . 1 

The  Fall  of  Man . 4 

The  Flood . 7 

II.  The  Patriarchs: 

The  Call  of  Abraham . 11 

The  Birth  of  Isaac . 12 

The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac . 14 

Isaac’s  Wooing  of  Rebecca . 16 

The  Birthright  and  the  Mess  of  Pottage  .  .  .  .21 

Jacob’s  Ladder . 22 

Jacob’s  Marriage  with  Rachel  .  .  .  -  .  .  .23 

Jacob’s  Wrestling  with  an  Angel . .24 

III.  Joseph  and  His  Brethren: 

Some  Dreams  that  Joseph  dreamed,  and  what  they  led  to  .  27 

Joseph  in  Prison  . 31 

Joseph  as  Governor  of  Egypt . 33 

How  the  Dream  about  the  Sheaves  came  true  ...  37 

The  Meeting  between  Joseph  and  Benjamin  .  .  .  41 

Benjamin  and  the  Silver  Divining  Cup  .  .  .  .44 

The  Settlement  of  Israel  in  Egypt . 50 

IV.  Moses  and  the  Ten  Plagues: 

The  Bondage  of  Israel . .55 

The  Birth  of  Moses  .......  .  .  55 

The  Burning  Bush  .  57 

The  Mission  of  Moses  and  Aaron . 59 

Bricks  without  Straw . 60 

Moses  and  Aaron  before  Pharao . 62 

The  Rivers  turned  into  Blood  . . 64 


X 


CONTENTS 


The  Frogs  that  covered  the  Whole  Land  ....  65 

The  Sciniphs . 67 

The  Swarm  of  Flies . 67 

The  very  Grievous  Murrain . 69 

The  Boils  and  Swelling  Blains . 69 

The  Thunder  and  Hail  mixed  with  Fire-  .  .  .  .  70 

The  Locusts  that  wasted  All  Things . 71 

The  Darkness  that  could  be  felt . 72 

The  Death  of  the  First  Born . 73 

The  Passage  of  the  Red  Sea . 76 

V.  The  Exodus: 

How  Bitter  Waters  were  made  Sweet . 79 

The  Giving  of  the  Commandments . 79 

The  Tables  of  the  Law . 81 

The  Tabernacle  in  the  Wilderness . 83 

The  Manna . 84 

The  Rock  that  gave  forth  a  Stream  of  Water  ...  86 

A  Prayer  of  Moses  with  Uplifted  Hands  ....  88 

The  Price  of  Murmuring . 88 

The  Budding  of  Aaron’s  Rod . 92 

The  Brazen  Serpent . 93 

The  Call  of  Josue . 94 

The  Death  of  Moses . 95 

The  Passage  of  the  Jordan . 96 

The  Fall  of  Jericho . 98 

VI.  The  Judges: 

How  the  Judges  came  to  rule  in  Israel . 101 

Gedeon  and  the  Battle  of  the  Lamps  and  Pitchers  .  .  101 

Samson  and  the  Jaw-bone  of  an  Ass . 107 

The  Secret  of  Samson’s  Strength . 108 

The  Birth  of  Samuel . 113 

The  Call  of  Samuel . 115 

The  End  of  the  Judges’  Rule . 117 


CONTENTS  xi 

VII.  King  Saul: 

The  Quest  of  some  Asses  and  what  came  of  it  .  .  .  119 

God  Save  the  King . 124 

The  Rejection  of  Saul . 125 

The  Annointing  of  David . 129 

David  as  Harper  to  Saul . 131 

David  and  Goliath  .  132 

How  the  Praise  of  Some  Women  nearly  cost  David  His  Life  138 

David  and  Jonathan  .  . . ■  .  140 

The  Adventure  of  the  Spear  and  the  Cup  of  Water  .  .  145 

The  Death  of  Saul  and  Jonathan . 148 

VIII.  King  David: 

David  and  Bethsabee . 151 

Absolom’s  Rebellion . 154 

IX.  King  Solomon: 

The  Elevation  of  Solomon  to  the  Throne  of  Israel  .  .  162 

Solomon’s  Dream . 166 

The  Wisdom  of  Solomon . 167 

Solomon’s  Temple . 168 

Solomon  and  the  Queen  of  Saba . 170 

The  Fall  of  Solomon . 172 

The  Division  of  the  Kingdom  . 174 

X.  The  Kingdom  of  Israel: 

King  Jeroboam . 177 

Elias  and  the  Prophets  of  Baal . 178 

The  Call  of  Eliseus . 183 

Naboth’s  Vineyard . 183 

The  Ascent  of  Elias  into  Heaven . 187 

Naaman  the  Leper . 189 

Eliseus  and  the  Horses  and  Chariots  of  Fire  .  .  .  193 

The  Fall  of  the  Kingdon  of  Israel . 195 

XI.  The  Story  of  Judith . 197 


Xll 


CONTENTS 


XII.  The  Kingdom  of  Juda: 

Juda’s  Unfaithfulness . 

The  Prophesies  of  Jeremias . 

The  Fall  of  Juda . 

XIII.  The  Babylonion  Captivity: 

The  Elevation  of  Daniel  and  His  Companions 
The  Three  Children  in  the  Fierv  Furnace 

Baltassar’s  Feast . 

Daniel  in  the  Lion's  Den . . 

XIV.  The  Story  of  Esther  . 

XV.  The  Nation’s  Rebirth: 

The  Return  from  Captivity . 

Nehemias . 

Esdras . 

The  Re-establishment  of  the  Law  .... 

XVI.  The  Machabees: 

King  Antiochus . 

The  Martyrdom  of  Eleazar . 

The  Martyrdom  of  a  Mother  and  Her  Seven  Sons 

The  Uprising  of  Mathathias . 

Judas  Maehabeus . 

The  Dedication  of  the  Temple  .... 


208 

209 

213 


210 

218 

222 

226 

231 


242 

244 

247 

249 


251 

254 

256 

261 

264 

268 


Notes . 273 


List  of  Proper  Names,  with  Pronunciation  .  .  .  294 


PREFACE 


Happy  children,  whom  this  little  book  will  introduce  to  the 
Word  of  God  and  to  the  first  ages  of  history!  It  is  a  grand  and 
beautiful  story  which  you  are  about  to  read,  told  in  the  inspired 
language  of  Holy  Scripture  itself,  the  story  of  God’s  dealings  with 
the  world  and,  in  particular,  with  His  chosen  people  of  Israel. 

In  the  sublime  account  of  creation  with  which  it  opens,  it  takes 

you  back  to  the  very  beginning  of  things.  You  see  the  heavens  and 

% 

the  earth  spring  into  being  at  the  word  of  God,  You  see  His  Almighty 
Spirit  moving  over  the  face  of  the  universe,  disposing  all  in  order 
and  harmony  and  beauty,  and  multiplying  life  in  its  infinite  variety. 
And  from  this  first  beginning,  this  story  brings  you  down  to  the 
last  years  of  the  Old  Covenant,  almost  to  the  coming  of  our  Saviour, 
Jesus  Christ. 

This  is  a  long  period  of  time,  four  thousand  years  at  least;  and 
the  Old  Testament,  in  which  the  inspired  writers  have  told  its 
history,  is  a  very  big  book,  too  big,  I  fear,  for  most  children  to  read 
through.  Besides,  it  contains  many  things  that  do  not  interest 
children  and  many  things,  too,  that  are  hard  to  understand,  even  for 
grown  people.  So  everything  that  is  too  hard  to  understand,  and 
everything  that  is  uninteresting  to  children,  together  with  matters 
of  less  importance,  has  been  left  out  of  this  book.  Here  you  have  a 
fine  selection  of  beautiful  and  interesting  stories  —  true  stories — 
which  you  will  read  with  pleasure  and  with  profit  to  your  souls.  You 
will  read  them  not  once  only,  but  many  times;  and  I  am  sure  you 
will  love  them.  And  let  me  tell  you,  dear  children,  that  you  will 
remember  them  as  long  as  you  live. 

Why  have  children  always  loved  the  stories  of  the  Old  Testament? 
But  first  I  must  stop  to  tell  you  that  they  have  always  loved  them. 


XIV 


PREFACE 


The  Child  Jesus  read  and  loved  them  two  thousand  years  ago;  so 
too  did  the  Blessed  Mary,  for  we  see  from  her  song  of  joy,  the  Mag¬ 
nificat,  which  she  sang  while  still  a  young  maiden  of  Galilee,  that 
her  youthful  soul  had  found  its  delight  in  the  songs  and  stories  of 
God’s  people.  And  long  before  the  time  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  and 
long  after  it,  Jewish  children  used  to  love  to  hear  these  stories  from 
the  lips  of  their  elders.  Christian  children  have  loved  them  no  less; 
even  more:  for  the  Catholic  Church,  which  is  like  a  good  mother 
who  knows  how  to  tell  a  story  very  well,  has  told  these  stories  of  the 
Bible  to  her  children,  young  and  old,  in  many  a  charming  fashion. 
She  makes  her  priests  read  them  in  the  breviary.  She  has 
painted  them  most  beautifully  on  the  walls  of  her  churches;  she  has 
carved  them  gracefully  in  stone,  and  she  has  made  them  shine  out 
gloriously  in  her  marvelous  windows  of  stained  glass. 

And  boys  and  girls  have  always  loved  to  go  into  the  Catholic 
Churches  of  Europe  and  gaze  at  these  paintings  and  sculptures  and 
windows.  There  they  see  Adam  and  Eve,  our  first  parents;  and 
good  old  Abraham  with  the  long  white  beard  who  had  such  great 
faith;  and  the  gentle,  thoughtful  Isaac,  his  son,  with  the  lovely 
Rebecca;  and  the  great  Patriarch  Jacob  and  his  twelve  sons,  who 
became  the  fathers  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  particularly  Joseph 
whose  history  is  so  wonderful  and  interesting;  and  Moses,  the  great 
leader  and  lawgiver;  and  Samson,  who  was  such  a  marvel  of  strength, 
and  if  he  had  only  been  as  good  and  as  wise  as  he  was  strong,  what 
a  great  man  he  would  have  been;  and  the  prophet  Samuel,  who  was 
in  the  temple  from  his  boyhood;  and  Saul,  the  tall  and  handsome 
king,  who  had  such  a  miserable  end;  and  King  David,  with  his 
thrilling  adventures,  who  had  so  many  attractive  qualities  and  yet 
so  many  weaknesses;  and  Solomon,  so  wise  and  good  in  his  youth, 
who  (strange  to  say)  became  foolish  and  wicked  as  he  grew  old;  and 


PREFACE 


XV 


the  great  prophets,  whose  sublime  words  you  will  study  in  years  to 
come;  and  the  noble  and  heroic  Machabees;  and  many  other  notable 
characters  of  the  Old  Testament.  Behold  them  all  in  our  churches, 
these  great  persons  through  whom  God  wrought  the  salvation  of 
Israel.  And  as  the  children  gaze  at  the  paintings  or  sculptures  on 
windows,  those  who  know  their  Bible  History  well,  understand  and 
are  happy  to  explain  them  to  others;  and  those  who  do  not  know 
the  stories  and  have  no  one  to  explain  them,  gaze  all  the  more  in 
open-mouthed  wonder.  How  they  wish  they  understood,  for  they 
can  tell  at  a  glance  that  the  stories  are  good  stories  and  very  inter¬ 
esting! 

Why  then  do  children  always  love  these  Old  Testament  stories? 
Not  merely  because  they  are  interesting,  as  indeed  they  are  and  had 
to  be  if  they  were  to  be  loved  by  children,  but  also  because  they  are 
so  deep  and  yet  so  simple.  A  story,  if  it  is  to  capture  the  affection 
of  a  child,  must  have  simplicity;  but  to  retain  that  affection,  it  must 
also  have  depth  of  meaning.  These  old  stories  have  an  antique 
simplicity  about  them  which  is  very  winning  and  hard  to  match 
elsewhere.  No  wonder,  for  they  come  down,  some  at  least,  from  the 
ages  when  God  was  guiding  the  childhood  of  the  race,  and  were  retold 
by  father  to  son,  from  generation  to  generation.  But  besides  this 
simplicity,  they  have  a  depth  of  meaning  which  cannot  be  matched 
in  histories  from  uninspired  sources.  And  the  older  you  grow,  dear 
children,  the  deeper  meaning  will  you  discover  in  them.  You  will 
find  them  true  to  the  facts  of  human  nature,  as  life  will  reveal  them 
to  you;  but  you  will  also  find  them  full  of  the  first  truth  of  religion, 
God’s  providence,  in  the  light  of  which  alone  the  facts  of  life  can  be 
rightly  judged  and  appreciated.  It  is  the  radiance  of  this  blessed 
truth  of  God’s  providence  that  lends  such  a  beauty  to  these  stories 
and  endears  them  so  to  the  unspoiled  heart  of  childhood. 


XVI 


PREFACE 


One  last  important  thing  you  will  learn  from  these  stories,  how  the 
people  of  Israel  were  guided  by  God  through  the  Divine  Twilight 
until  the  dawn  of  that  glorious  Sun  of  Justice  and  Truth,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 


Thomas  J.  Shahan. 


THE  DAWN  OF  THE  WORLD. 


The  Creation:  In  the  beginning  God  created  Heaven 
and  earth.  And  the  earth  was  void  and  empty,  and  dark¬ 
ness  was  upon  the 
face  of  the  deep  ; 
and  the  Spirit  of 
God  moved  over  the 
waters. 

And  God  said, 

“Be  light  made:” 
and  light  was  made. 

And  God  saw  the 
light  that  it  was 
good;  and  He  divid¬ 
ed  the  light  from  the 
darkness  :  and  He 
called  the  light  Day, 
and  the  darkness 
Night.  And  there 
was  evening  and 
morning — one  day. 

And  God  said, 

“Let  there  be  a 
firmament1  amidst 
the  waters,  and  let  The  Creation  of  Light- 

it  divide  the  waters  from  the  waters.”  And  God  made  a 
firmament,  and  divided  the  waters  that  were  under  the 


2 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


firmament  from  those  that  were  above2  the  firmament; 
and  it  was  so:  and  God  called  the  firmament  Heaven. 
And  the  evening  and  morning  were  the  second  day. 

God  also  said,  “Let  the  waters  that  are  under  the 
heaven  be  gathered  together  into  one  place,  and  let  the 
dry  land  appear:  ”  and  it  was  so  done.  And  God  called  the 
dry  land  Earth;  and  the  gathering  together  of  the  water 
He  called  Seas:  and  God  saw  that  it  was  good.  And  He 
said,  “Let  the  earth  bring  forth  the  green  herb,  and  such 
as  may  seed,  and  the  fruit  tree  yielding  fruit  after  its 
kind,  which  may  have  seed  in  itself  upon  the  earth:”  and 
it  was  so  done.  And  the  earth  brought  forth  the  green 
herb,  and  such  as  yielded  seed  according  to  its  kind,  and 
the  tree  that  beareth  fruit,  having  seed  each  one  according 
to  its  kind:  and  God  saw  that  it  was  good.  And  the 
evening  and  morning  were  the  third  day. 

And  God  said,  “Let  there  be  lights  made  in  the 
firmament  of  heaven,  to  divide  the  day  and  the  night; 
and  let  them  be  for  signs,  and  for  seasons,  and  for  days 
and  years,  to  shine  in  the  firmament  of  heaven  and  to 
give  light  upon  the  earth:”  and  it  was  done.  And  God 
made  two  great  lights;  a  greater  light  to  rule  the  day 
and  a  lesser  light  to  rule  the  night,  and  the  stars;  and 
He  set  them  in  the  firmament  of  heaven  to  shine  upon  the 
earth,  and  to  rule  the  day  and  the  night,  and  to  divide  the 
light  and  the  darkness:  and  God  saw  that  it  was  good. 
And  the  evening  and  morning  were  the  fourth  day. 

God  also  said,  “Let  the  waters  bring  forth  the  creep¬ 
ing  creature  having  life,  and  the  fowl  that  may  fly  over 
the  earth  under  the  firmament  of  heaven;”  and  God 


THE  DAWN  OF  THE  WORLD 


3 


created  the  great  whales,  and  every  living  and  moving 
creature,  which  the  waters  brought  forth,  according  to 
their  kinds,  and  every  winged  fowl  according  to  its  kind: 
and  God  saw  that  it  was  good,  and  He  blessed  them, 
saying,  4 ‘Increase  and  multiply,  and  fill  the  waters  of  the 
sea,  and  let  the  birds  be  multiplied  upon  the  earth.” 
And  the  evening  and  morning  were  the  fifth  day. 


The  Creation  of  Animals. 


And  God  said,  “Let  the  earth  bring  forth  the  living 
creature  in  its  kind,  cattle  and  creeping  things,  and 
beasts  of  the  earth  according  to  their  kind;”  and  it  was 
so  done:  and  God  made  the  beasts  of  the  earth  according 
to  their  kinds,  and  cattle,  and  everything  that  creepeth 
on  the  earth  after  its  kind;  and  God  saw  that  it  was 
good.  And  He  said,  “Let  us  make  man  to  our  image  and 
likeness :  and  let  him  have  dominion  over  the  fishes  of  the 
sea,  and  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  the  beasts,  and  the  whole 


4 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


earth,  and  every  creeping  creature  that  moveth  on  the 
earth;”  and  God  created  man  to  His  own  image:  to  the 
image  of  God  He  created  him :  male  and  female  He  created 
them;  and  God  blessed  them,  saying,  “Increase  and 
multiply,  and  fill  the  earth,  and  subdue  it:  and  rule  over 
the  fishes  of  the  sea,  and  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  all 
living  creatures  that  move  upon  the  earth.”  And  God 
said,  “Behold  I  have  given  you  every  herb  bearing  seed 
upon  the  earth,  and  all  trees  that  have  in  themselves 
seed  of  their  own  kind  to  be  your  meat :  and  to  all  beasts 
of  the  earth,  and  to  every  fowl  of  the  air,  and  to  all  that 
move  upon  the  earth,  and  wherein  there  is  life,  that  they 
may  have  to  feed  upon”:  and  it  was  so  done:  and  God 
saw  all  the  things  that  He  had  made,  and  they  were  very 
good.  And  the  evening  and  morning  were  the  sixth  day. 

So  the  heavens  and  the  earth  were  finished,3  and  all 
the  furniture  of  them.  And  on  the  seventh  day  God  ended 
His  work  which  He  had  made;  and  He  rested  on  the 
seventh  day  from  all  His  work  which  He  had  done.  And 
He  blessed  the  seventh  day  and  sanctified  it,  because  in 
it  He  rested  from  all  His  work  which  God  created  and 
made.4 

The  Fall  of  Man:  And  the  Lord  took  man  and  put 
him  into  the  Garden  of  Paradise0  to  dress  it  and  keep  it. 
And  He  commanded  him,  saying,  “Of  every  tree  of 
Paradise  thou  shalt  eat,  but  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of 
good  and  evil  thou  shalt  not  eat;  for  in  what  day  soever 
thou  shalt  eat  of  it  thou  shalt  die  the  death.” 

Now  the  serpent  was  more  subtle  than  any  of  the 
beasts  of  the  earth  which  the  Lord  God  had  made.  And 


THE  DAWN  OF  THE  WORLD 


5 


he  said  to  the  woman,  “Why  hath  God  commanded  you 
that  you  should  not  eat  of  every  tree  of  Paradise?” 

And  the  woman  answered,  44  Of  the  fruit  of  the  trees 
that  are  in  Paradise  we  do  eat:  but  of  the  fruit  of  the 
tree  which  is  in  the  midst  of  Paradise,  God  hath  com¬ 
manded  us  that  we  should  not  eat,  and  that  we  should 
not  touch  it,  lest  perchance  we  die.” 

And  the  serpent  said  to  the  woman,  44  No,  you  shall 
not  die  the  death;  for  God  doth  know  that  in  what  day 
soever  you  shall  eat  thereof,  your  eyes  shall  be  opened, 
and  you  shall  be  as  gods,  knowing  good  and  evil." 

And  the  woman  saw  that  the  tree  was  good  to  eat, 
and  fair  to  the  eyes,  and  delightful  to  behold,  and  she 
took  of  the  fruit  thereof,  and  did  eat,  and  gave  to  her 
husband,  who  did  eat.  And  presently  they  heard  the 
voice  of  the  Lord  God  walking  in  the  Garden,  and  they 
hid  themselves  from  the  face  of  the  Lord,  amidst  the 
trees  of  Paradise. 

And  the  Lord  God  called  the  man,  and  said  to  him, 
44 Where  art  thou?” 

And  he  said,  44 1  heard  Thy  voice  in  Paradise,  and  I 
was  afraid;  and  I  hid  myself.” 

x4nd  He  said,  44  Thou  hast  eaten  of  the  tree  whereof  I 
commanded  thee  that  thou  shouldst  not  eat.” 

And  Adam  said,  44  The  woman  whom  Thou  gavest  me 
to  be  my  companion  gave  me  of  the  tree,  and  I  did  eat. " 

And  the  Lord  God  said  to  the  woman,  44  Why  hast 
thou  done  this?” 

And  she  answered,  44  The  serpent  deceived  me,  and 
I  did  eat.  ” 


6 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  the  Lord  God  said  to  the  serpent,  “Because  thou 
hast  done  this  thing  thou  art  cursed  among  all  cattle  and 
beasts;  upon  thy  breast  shalt  thou  go,  and  earth  shalt 
thou  eat  all  the  days  of  thy  life:  I  will  put  enmities 
between  thee  and  the  woman,  and  thy  seed  and  her  seed; 

she  shall  crush  thy 
head,6  and  thou 
shalt  lie  in  wait  for 
her  heel.  ”  And  to 
the  woman  He  said, 
“  I  will  multiply  thy 
sorrows  and  thy 
conceptions;  in  sor¬ 
row  shalt  thou  bring 
forth  children;  and 
thou  shalt  be  under 
thy  husband’s  pow¬ 
er,  and  he  shall 
have  dominion 
over  thee.  ”  And  to 
Adam  He  said,  '‘Be¬ 
cause  thou  hast 
harkened  to  the 
voice  of  thy  wife, 
and  hast  eaten  of  the  tree  whereof  I  commanded  thee 
that  thou  shouldst  not  eat,  cursed  is  the  earth  in  thy 
work;  with  labor  and  toil  shalt  thou  eat  thereof  all  the 
days  of  thy  life;  thorns  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth 
to  thee;  and  thou  shalt  eat  the  herbs  of  the  earth;  in  the 
sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread  till  thou  return 


Adam  and  Eve  Driven  from  Paradise. 


THE  DAWN  OF  THE  WORLD 


7 


to  the  earth,  out  of  which  thou  wast  taken;  for  dust  thou 
art,  and  into  dust  thou  shalt  return.” 

And  the  Lord  sent  him  out  of  the  Garden  of  Paradise; 
and  He  placed  before  it  Cherubinis,7  and  a  flaming 
sword,  turning  every  way,  to  keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of 
life.8 

The  Flood:  After  that  men  began  to  be  multiplied 
upon  the  earth.  And  God  seeing  that  their  wickedness 
was  great,  and  that  all  the  thought  of  their  heart  was 
bent  upon  evil  at  all  times,  said,  “I  will  destroy  man 
whom  I  have  created,  from  the  face  of  the  earth;  from 
man  even  to  beasts;  from  the  creeping  things  even  to 
the  fowls  of  the  air :  for  it  repenteth9  Me  that  I  have  made 
them.”  But  Noe  found  grace  before  the  Lord,  for  he 
was  a  just  and  perfect  man  in  his  generation;  and  he 
walked  with  God. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Noe,  4 ‘Make  thee  an  ark  of 
timber  planks.  Behold  I  will  bring  the  waters  of  a  great 
flood10  upon  the  earth,  to  destroy  all  flesh,  wherein  is  the 
breath  of  life,  under  heaven.  But  with  thee  I  will  estab¬ 
lish  My  covenant;  and  thou  shalt  go  into  the  ark,  thou 
and  thy  sons,  and  thy  wife,  and  the  wives  of  thy  sons 
with  thee.  And  of  every  living  creature  of  all  flesh,  thou 
shalt  bring  two  of  a  sort  into  the  ark,  that  they  may  live 
with  thee;  of  the  male  sex  and  the  female.  Of  fowls  ac¬ 
cording  to  their  kind,  and  of  beasts  in  their  kind,  and 
of  every  thing  that  creepeth  on  the  earth  according  to 
its  kind,  two  of  every  sort  shall  go  in  with  thee,  that 
they  may  live.  Thou  shalt  take  unto  thee  of  all  food 


8 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


that  may  be  eaten,  and  thou  shalt  lay  it  up  with  thee; 
and  it  shall  be  food  for  thee  and  them.”  And  Noe  did 
all  things  which  God  commanded  him. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  in  the  six  hundredth  year  of  the 
life  of  Noe,  in  the  second  month,  in  the  seventeenth  day 
of  the  month,  all  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep  were 
broken  up,  and  the  flood-gates  of  heaven  were  opened; 


Noe  Sending  Forth  the  Dove  From  the  Ark. 


and  the  rain  fell  upon  the  earth  forty  days  and  forty 
nights;  and  the  waters  overflowed  exceedingly,  and  filled 
all  on  the  face  of  the  earth ;  and  the  ark  was  carried  upon 
the  waters.  And  all  flesh  was  destroyed  that  moved 
upon  the  earth,  both  of  fowl  and  of  cattle,  and  of  beasts, 
and  of  all  creeping  things  that  creep  upon  the  earth,  and 
all  men.  And  Noe  only  remained,  and  they  that  were 
with  him  in  the  ark.  And  the  waters  prevailed  upon  the 
earth  a  hundred  and  fifty  days. 


THE  DAWN  OF  THE  WORLD 


9 


And  after  that  forty  days  were  passed,  Noe,  opening 
the  window  of  the  ark,  sent  forth  a  raven,  which  went 
forth  and  did  not  return  till  the  waters  were  dried  up 
upon  the  earth.  He  sent  forth  also  a  dove  after  him,  to 
see  if  the  waters  had  now  ceased  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth;  but  she,  not  finding  where  her  foot  might  rest, 
returned  to  him  into  the  ark;  for  the  waters  were  upon 
the  whole  earth;  and  he  put  forth  his  hand  and  caught 
her,  and  brought  her  into  the  ark.  And  having  waited 
yet  seven  other  days,  he  again  sent  forth  the  dove  out 
of  the  ark;  and  she  came  to  him  in  the  evening,  carrying 
a  bough  of  an  olive  tree,  with  green  leaves  in  her  mouth. 
Noe  therefore  understood  that  the  waters  were  ceased 
upon  the  earth.  And  he  stayed  yet  another  seven  days; 
and  he  sent  forth  the  dove  which  returned  not  any  more 
unto  him.  And  Noe,  opening  the  covering  of  the  ark, 
looked  and  saw  the  face  of  the  earth  was  dried. 

And  God  spoke  to  Noe,  saying,  “Go  out  of  the  ark, 
thou  and  thy  wife,  thy  sons,  and  the  wives  of  thy  sons 
with  thee;  and  all  living  things  that  are  with  thee  of  all 
flesh,  as  well  in  fowls  as  in  beasts,  and  all  creeping  things 
that  creep  upon  the  earth,  bring  out  with  thee;  and  go  ye 
out  upon  the  earth,  and  increase  and  multiply  upon  it.” 
And  they  went  forth. 

And  Noe  built  an  altar  unto  the  Lord;  and  taking 
of  all  cattle  and  fowls  that  were  clean,11  offered  holo¬ 
causts12  upon  the  altar.  And  the  Lord  smelled13  a  sweet 
savor,  and  said,  “I  will  no  more  curse  the  earth  for  the 
sake  of  man;  for  the  imagination  and  the  thought  of 
man’s  heart  are  prone  to  evil  from  his  youth;  there- 


10 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


fore  I  will  no  more  destroy  every  living  soul  as  I  have 
done.  All  the  days  of  the  earth,  seed-time  and  harvest, 
cold  and  heat,  summer  and  winter,  night  and  day,  shall 
not  cease.” 

And  God  blessed  Noe  and  his  sons.  And  He  said  to 
them,  “Increase  and  multiply  and  fill  the  earth.  And 


Noe  After  the  Deluge. 

I  will  establish  My  covenant  with  you;  and  all  flesh 
shall  be  no  more  destroyed  with  the  waters  of  a  flood; 
neither  shall  there  be  from  henceforth  a  flood  to  waste 
the  earth.” 

And  the  sons  of  Noe,  who  came  out  of  the  ark,14  were 
Sem,  Cham,  and  Japhet;  and  from  these  was  all  man¬ 
kind  spread  over  the  whole  earth. 


II. 


THE  PATRIARCHS. 

The  Call  of  Abraham  :  Now  among  the  descendants 
of  Sem,  there  was  one  whose  name  was  Thare*  And 
Thare  went  forth,  with  his  family,  from  Ur  of  the  Chal¬ 
dees,  where  they  lived,  to  go  into  the  land  of  Chanaan;1 


The  Departure  of  Abram. 


and  they  came  as  far  as  Haran,  and  dwelt  there.  And 
the  days  of  Thare  were  two  hundred  and  five  years;2  and 
he  died  in  Haran.3  And  his  son’s  name  was  Abram. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Abram,  “Go  forth  out  of  thy 
country,  and  from  thy  kindred,  and  out  of  thy  father’s 
house,  and  come  into  the  land  which  I  shall  show  thee; 
and  I  will  make  of  thee  a  great  nation;  and  I  will  bless 


12 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


thee  and  magnify  thy  name;  and  thou  shalt  be  blessed; 
and  I  will  bless  them  that  bless  thee,  and  curse  them  that 
curse  thee;  and  in  thee  shall  all  the  kindred  of  the  earth 
be  blessed.”4 

So  Abram  went  out  as  the  Lord  had  commanded 
him;  and  he  took  Sarai,  his  wife,  and  Lot,  his  brother’s 
son,  and  all  the  substance  which  they  had  gathered,  and 
the  souls  which  they  had  gotten  in  Haran,  and  they  went 
out  to  go  into  the  land  of  Chanaan.  And  when  they 
were  come  into  it,  the  Lord  appeared  to  Abram  and  said 
to  him,  44 To  thy  seed  will  I  give  this  land.  ”  And  Abram 
built  there  an  altar  to  the  Lord,  who  had  appeared  to 
him.  And  Melchisedech,5  the  king  of  Salem,6  bringing 
forth  bread  and  wine,  (for  he  was  the  Priest  of  the  Most 
High  God)  blessed  Abram,  and  said,  44  Blessed  be  Abram 
by  the  Most  High  God,  who  created  heaven  and  earth; 
and  blessed  be  the  Most  High  God  by  whose  protection 
the  enemies  are  in  thy  hands.”  And  Abram  dwelled  in 
the  land  of  Chanaan. 

The  Birth  of  Isaac:  And  the  Lord  appeared  to 
Abraham7  in  the  Vale  of  Mambre,  as  he  was  sitting  at  the 
door  of  his  tent,  in  the  very  heat  of  the  day.  And  when 
he  had  lifted  up  his  eyes  there  appeared  to  him  three  men 
standing  near  him ;  and  as  soon  as  he  saw  them  he  ran  to 
meet  them  from  the  door  of  his  tent,  and  adored  down  to 
the  ground.  And  he  said,  4kLord,  if  I  have  found  favor 
in  thy  sight,  pass  not  away  from  thy  servant,  but  I  will 
fetch  a  little  water  and  wash  ye  your  feet;  and  rest  ye 
under  the  tree,  and  I  will  set  a  morsel  of  bread,  and 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


13 


strengthen  ye  your  heart;  afterwards  you  shall  pass  on,  for 
therefore  you  are  come  aside  to  your  servant/' 

And  they  said,  “Do  as  thou  hast  spoken/' 

Abraham  therefore  made  haste  into  the  tent  to  Sara,8 
and  said  to  her,  “Make  haste;  temper  together  three 
measures  of  flour,  and  make  cakes  upon  the  hearth." 


Abraham  and  the  Angels. 


And  he  himself  ran  to  the  herd,  and  took  from  thence  a 
calf,  very  tender  and  very  good,  and  gave  it  to  a  young 
man,  who  made  haste  and  boiled  it.  He  took  also 
butter  and  milk,  and  the  calf  which  he  had  boiled, 
and  set  before  them;  but  he  stood  beside  them  under 
the  tree. 

And  when  they  had  eaten  they  said  to  him,  “Where 
is  Sara,  thy  wife?" 

He  answered,  “Lo,  she  is  in  the  tent.” 


14 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  he  said  to  him,  44 1  will  return  and  come  to  thee 
at  this  time,  life  accompanying,  and  Sara,  thy  wife,  shall 
have  a  son.” 

Now  Sara  and  Abraham  were  both  old,  and  far 
advanced  in  years;  and  Sara  laughed  secretly. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Abraham,  4 4  Why  did  Sara 
laugh,  saying,  ‘Shall  I  who  am  an  old  woman,  bear  a 
child  indeed.’  Is  there  anything  hard  to  God?  Accord¬ 
ing  to  appointment,  I  will  return  to  thee  at  this  time, 
life  accompanying,  and  Sara  shall  have  a  son.  ” 

And  the  Lord  visited  Sara  as  He  had  promised,  and 
fulfilled  what  He  had  spoken.  And  she  conceived  and 
bore  a  son  in  her  old  age,  at  the  time  that  God  had 
foretold  her.  And  Abraham  called  the  name  of  the  son, 
whom  Sara  bore  him,  Isaac.9 

The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac:  After  these  things  God 
tempted10  Abraham,  and  said  to  him,  44  Abraham,  Abra¬ 
ham.” 

And  he  answered,  “Here  I  am.” 

He  said  to  him,  44 Take  thy  only  begotten  son  Isaac, 
whom  thou  lovest,  and  go  into  the  land  of  vision,11  and 
there  thou  shalt  offer  him  for  a  holocaust  upon  one  of  the 
mountains  which  I  shall  show  thee.  ” 

So  Abraham,  rising  up  in  the  night,  saddled  his  ass, 
and  took  with  him  two  young  men,  and  Isaac,  his  son; 
and  when  he  had  cut  wood  for  the  holocaust,  he  went 
his  way  to  the  place  which  God  had  commanded  him. 

And  the  third  day,  lifting  up  his  eyes,  he  saw  the 
place  afar  off;  and  he  said  to  his  young  men,  44 Stay  you 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


15 


here  with  the  ass;  I  and  the  boy  will  go  with  speed  as  far 
as  yonder,  and  after  we  have  worshipped,  will  return  to 
you.  ”  And  he  took  the  wood  for  the  holocaust,  and  laid 
it  upon  Isaac  his 
son;  and  he  himself 
carried  in  his  hands 
fire  and  a  sword. 

And  as  they  two 
went  on  together, 

Isaac  said  to  his 
father,  “My  Fa¬ 
ther.” 

And  he  answer¬ 
ed,  “What  wilt 
thou,  my  son?” 

“  Behold,”  said 
he,  “fire  and  wood; 
where  is  the  victim 
for  the  holocaust?” 

And  Abraham 
said,  “  God  will  pro¬ 
vide  himself  a  vic¬ 
tim  for  a  holocaust, 
my  son.  ” 

So  they  went  on 
together,  and  came 
to  the  place  which  God  had  shown  him,  where  he  built  an 
altar,  and  laid  the  wood  in  order  upon  it.  And  when  he 
had  bound  Isaac  his  son,  he  laid  him  on  the  altar,  upon 
the  pile  of  wood;  and  he  put  forth  his  hand  and  took  the 
sword,  to  sacrifice  his  son. 


The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac. 


16 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  behold,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  from  heaven 
called  to  him  saying,  “Abraham,  Abraham.” 

And  he  answered,  “Here  I  am." 

And  he  said  to  him,  “Lay  not  thy  hand  upon  the  boy, 
neither  do  thou  anything  to  him;  now  I  know  that  thou 
fearest  God,  and  hast  not  spared  thy  only  begotten  son 
for  My  sake.”  And  Abraham  lifting  up  his  eyes,  saw 
behind  his  back  a  ram  amongst  the  briers,  sticking  fast 
by  the  horns,  which  he  took  and  offered  for  a  holocaust 
instead  of  his  son.12 

And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  called  to  Abraham  a  second 
time  from  heaven  saying,  “By  My  own  self  have  I  sworn, 
saith  the  Lord:  Because  thou  hast  done  this  thing,  and 
hast  not  spared  thy  only  begotten  son  for  My  sake,  I  will 
bless  thee,  and  I  will  multiply  thy  seed  as  the  stars  of 
heaven,  and  as  the  sand  that  is  by  the  sea  shore;  thy 
seed  shall  possess  the  gates  of  their  enemies;  and  in  thy 
seed  shall  all  the  nations  of  the  world  be  blessed,  because 
thou  hast  obeyed  My  voice.” 

And  Abraham  returned  to  his  young  men,  and  they 
went  to  Bersabee  together;  and  he  dwelled  there. 

Isaac’s  Wooing  of  Rebecca:  Now  when  Abraham 
was  old  and  advanced  in  years,  and  before  that  he  had 
been  gathered  to  his  people,  he  said  to  the  elder  servant 
of  his  house,  who  was  ruler  over  all  he  had,  “  Take  not  a 
wife  for  my  son  from  the  daughters  of  the  Chanaanites 
among  whom  I  dwell,13  but  go  to  my  own  country  and 
kindred,  and  take  a  wife  from  thence  for  my  son  Isaac,” 
And  the  servant  took  ten  camels  of  the  master’s  herd. 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


17 


and  departed,  carrying  something  of  all  his  goods  with 
him;  and  he  set  forward  and  went  on  to  Mesopotamia, 
to  the  city  of  Nachor,  the  brother  of  Abraham. 

And  when  he  reached  the  city,  he  made  the  camels 
lie  down  without  the  town,  near  a  well  of  water,  in  the 
evening,  at  a  time  when  the  women  are  wont  to  come 
out  to  draw  water;  and  he  said,  “0  God  the  Lord  of  my 
master  Abraham,  behold  I  stand  nigh  the  spring  of 
water,  and  the  daughters  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city 
will  come  out  to  draw  water;  now,  therefore,  the  maid 
to  whom  I  shall  say,  ‘Let  down  thy  pitcher  that  I  may 
drink/  and  she  shall  answer,  ‘Drink,  and  I  will  give  thy 
camels  drink  also,’  let  it  be  the  same  whom  Thou  hast 
provided  for  Thy  servant  Isaac;  and  by  this  I  shall  know 
that  Thou  hast  shown  kindness  to  my  master.” 

And  it  came  to  pass,  before  he  had  said  these  words 
within  himself,  that,  behold,  Rebecca  came  out,  the 
daughter  of  Nachor,  having  a  pitcher  on  her  shoulder, 
an  exceeding  comely  maid:  and  she  went  down  to 
the  spring,  and  filled  her  pitcher,  and  was  coming 
back. 

And  the  servant  ran  out  to  meet  her,  and  said,  “Give 
me  a  little  water  to  drink  of  thy  pitcher.  ” 

And  she  answered,  “Drink,  my  lord”;  and  quickly  she 
let  down  the  pitcher  upon  her  arm,  and  gave  him  drink. 
And  when  he  had  drunk,  she  said,  “I  will  draw  water 
for  thy  camels  also,  till  they  all  drink.”  And  pouring 
out  the  pitcher  into  the  troughs,  she  ran  back  to  the 
well  to  draw  water;  and  having  drawn  she  gave  to  all 
the  camels.  But  the  servant,  musing,  beheld  her  with 


18 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


silence,  desirous  to  know  whether  the  Lord  had  made 
his  journey  prosperous  or  not. 

And  after  the  camels  had  drunk,  the  man  took  out 
golden  ear-rings,  weighing  two  sides,  and  as  many 
bracelets  of  ten  sides’  weight,  and  said  to  her,  ‘‘Whose 
daughter  art  thou?  Tell  me,  is  there  any  place  in  thy 
father’s  house  to  lodge?” 


Rebecca  at  the  Well. 


And  she  answered,  “I  am  the  daughter  of  Bathuel, 
the  son  of  Melcha,  whom  she  bore  to  Nachor.  ”  And 
she  said  moreover  to  him,  “We  have  good  store  of  both 
straw  and  hay,  and  a  large  place  to  lodge  in.  ” 

And  the  man  bowed  himself  down,  and  adored  the 
Lord,  saying,  “Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  my  master 
Abraham,  who  hath  not  taken  away  His  mercy  and 
truth  from  my  master,  and  hath  brought  me  the  straight 
way  into  the  house  of  my  master’s  brother.” 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


19 


Then  the  maid  ran,  and  told  in  her  mother’s  house, 
all  that  she  had  heard. 

And  Rebecca  had  a  brother  named  Laban,  who  went 
out  in  haste  to  the  man  to  the  well.  And  when  he  had 
seen  the  ear-rings  and  bracelets  in  his  sister’s  hands,  and 
had  heard  all  that  she  related,  saying,  “Thus  and  thus 
the  man  spoke  to  me,”  he  came  to  the  man  who  stood 
by  the  camels,  and  near  to  the  spring  of  water,  and  said 
to  him,  “  Come  in,  thou  blessed  of  the  Lord;  why  standest 
thou  without;  I  have  prepared  the  house  and  a  place  for 
thy  camels.”  And  he  brought  him  into  his  lodging;  and 
he  unharnessed  the  camels,  and  gave  straw  and  hay,  and 
water  to  wash  his  feet,  and  the  feet  of  the  men  that  were 
come  with  him;  and  bread  was  set  before  him. 

But  he  said,  “I  will  not  eat,  till  I  tell  my  message.” 

And  he  answered  him,  “Speak.” 

And  when  he  had  told  his  message,  and  all  the  things 
which  had  come  to  pass  as  he  stood  with  his  camels,  near 
the  well,  Laban  and  Bathuel  answered,  “The  word  hath 
proceeded  from  the  Lord;  we  cannot  speak  any  other 
thing  to  thee  but  His  pleasure.  Behold,  Rebecca  is 
before  thee,  take  her  and  go  thy  way,  and  let  her  be  the 
wife  of  thy  master’s  son,  as  the  Lord  hath  spoken.”  Which, 
when  Abraham’s  servant  heard,  falling  down  to  the  ground, 
he  adored  the  Lord.  And  bringing  forth  vessels  of  silver 
and  gold  and  garments,  he  gave  them  to  Rebecca  for  a 
present.  He  offered  gifts  also  to  her  brothers  and  to  her 
mother.  And  a  banquet  was  made,  and  they  ate  and 
drank  together,  and  lodged  there. 

And  in  the  morning  the  servant  arose  and  said,  “Let 
me  depart,  that  I  may  go  to  my  master.” 


20 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  her  brother  and  mother  answered,  “Let  the 
maid  stay  at  least  ten  days  with  us,  and  afterwards  she 
shall  depart/' 

“Stay  me  not,”  said  he,  “because  the  Lord  hath 
prospered  my  way;  send  me  away  that  I  may  go  to  my 
master.  ” 

And  they  said,  “Let  us  call  the  maid,  and  ask  her 
will.  ” 

And  they  called  her,  and  when  she  was  come,  they 
asked,  “Wilt  thou  go  with  the  man?" 

She  said,  “I  will  go.” 

So  they  sent  her  away,  and  her  nurse,  and  Abraham’s 
servant,  and  his  company,  wishing  prosperity  to  their 
sister,  and  saying,  “Thou  art  our  sister;  mayest  thou 
increase  to  thousands  and  thousands,  and  may  thy  seed 
possess  the  gates  of  their  enemies.  ” 

So  Rebecca  and  her  maids  being  set  upon  camels, 
followed  the  man,  who  with  speed  returned  to  his  master. 

At  the  same  time  Isaac  was  walking  along  the  way  to 
the  well  which  is  called  “Of  the  living  and  the  seeing”; 
for  he  dwelled  in  the  south  country.  And  he  was  gone 
forth  to  meditate  in  the  field,  the  day  being  now  well 
spent.  And  when  he  had  lifted  up  his  eyes,  he  saw 
camels  coming  afar  off. 

And  Rebecca,  when  she  saw  Isaac,  lighted  off  her 
camel,  and  said  to  the  servant,  “Who  is  that  man  who 
cometh  towards  us  along  the  field?” 

And  he  said  to  her,  “That  man  is  my  master.” 

And  the  servant  told  Isaac  all  that  he  had  done. 
And  Isaac  took  Rebecca  and  made  her  his  wife. 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


21 


The  Birthright  and  the  Mess  of  Pottage:  Now 
Rebecca,  the  wife  of  Isaac,  brought  forth  no  children. 
But  Isaac  besought  the  Lord  for  her;  and  He  heard  him, 
and  there  were  born  to  her  two  sons  who  were  named 
Esau  and  Jacob. 

And  when  the  sons 
were  grown  up, 

Esau  became  a  skill¬ 
ful  hunter,  and  a 
husbandman;  but 
Jacob,  a  plain  man, 
dwelled  in  tents. 

And  Jacob  boiled 
pottage ;  to  whom 
Esau,  coming  faint 
out  of  the  field  said, 

“  Give  me  of  this  red 
pottage;14  for  I  am 
exceeding  faint. 

And  Jacob  said  to 
him,  ‘‘Sell  me  first 
thy  birthright.”15 

Esau  answered,  Esau  Sellms  Hls  Birthright. 

“Lo,  I  die;  what  will  the  first  birthright  avail  me.” 

Jacob  said,  ” Swear  therefore  to  me.” 

And  Esau  swore  to  him,  and  sold  his  first  birthright. 
And  taking  bread  and  the  pottage  of  lentils,  he  ate  and 
drank  and  went  his  way,  making  little  account  of  having 
sold  his  first  birthright.10 


22 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Jacob’s  Ladder:  And  Isaac  blessed  Jacob  and 
charged  him  saying,  ‘’Take  not  a  wife  of  the  stock  of 
Chanaan,17  but  go  and  take  a  journey  to  Mesopotomia  of 
Syria,  and  take  thee  a  wife  thence  of  the  daughters  of 
Laban,  thy  uncle.”  And  Jacob  departed. 

And  when  he 
was  come  to  a  cer- 
tain  place,  and 
would  rest  in  it,  af¬ 
ter  sunset,  he  took 
of  the  stones  that 
lay  there,  and  put¬ 
ting  under  his  head, 
slept  in  the  same 
place.  And  he  saw 
in  his  sleep  a  ladder 
standing  upon  the 
earth,  and  the  top 
thereof  touching 
heaven,  the  angels 
also  of  God  ascend¬ 
ing  and  descending 
by  it,  and  the  Lord 
Jacob’s  Ladder.  leaning  upon  the 

ladder,  saying  to  him,  “I  am  the  Lord  God  of  Abraham, 
thy  father,  and  the  God  of  Isaac;  the  land  wherein  thou 
sleepest,  I  will  give  to  thee  and  to  thy  seed;  and  thy 
seed  shall  be  as  the  dust  of  the  earth;  thou  shalt  spread 
abroad  to  the  west,  and  to  the  east,  and  to  the  north,  and 
to  the  south;  and  in  thee  and  thy  seed  all  the  tribes  of 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


23 


the  earth  shall  be  blessed.  And  I  will  be  thy  keeper 
whithersoever  thou  goest;  and  I  will  bring  thee  back  into 
this  land;  neither  will  I  leave  thee,  till  I  have  accom¬ 
plished  all  that  I  have  said/’ 

And  when  Jacob  awaked  out  of  sleep,  he  said,  “  Indeed 
the  Lord  is  in  this  place,  and  I  knew  it  not.”  And  trem¬ 
bling,  he  said,  “How  terrible  is  this  place!  This  is  no 
other  but  the  house  of  God  and  the  gate  of  heaven.”18 
And,  arising  in  the  morning,  he  took  the  stone  which  he 
had  laid  under  his  head,  and  set  it  up  for  a  title,  pouring 
oil  upon  the  top  of  it.  And  he  made  a  vow,  saying,  “If 
God  shall  be  with  me,  and  shall  keep  me  in  the  way  by 
which  I  walk,  and  shall  give  me  bread  to  eat  and  raiment 
to  put  on,  and  I  shall  return  prosperously  to  my  father’s 
house,  the  Lord  shall  be  my  God.  And  this  stone  which 
I  have  set  up  for  a  title,  shall  be  called  the  house  of  God; 
and  of  all  things  that  Thou  shalt  give  to  me,  I  shall  offer 
thithes  to  Thee.” 

Jacob’s  Marriage  With  Rachel:  Then  Jacob  went 
on  his  journey,  and  came  into  the  east  country,  to  the 
place  of  his  Uncle  Laban. 

And  when  Laban  heard  that  his  sister’s  son  was  come, 
he  ran  forth  to  meet  him;  and  embracing  him  and 
heartily  kissing  him,  he  brought  him  into  his  house. 
And  Jacob  abode  there. 

And  after  the  days  of  one  month  were  expired,  Laban 
said  to  Jacob,  “Because  thou  art  my  brother,  shalt  thou 
serve  me  without  wages?  Tell  me,  what  wages  wilt 
thou  have?” 


24 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Now  Laban  had  two  daughters;  the  name  of  the 
elder  was  Lia,  and  the  younger  was  called  Rachel:  and 
Jacob,  being  in  love  with  Rachel,  said,  “I  will  serve  thee 
seven  years  for  Rachel,  thy  youngest  daughter.” 

Laban  answered,  “It  is  better  that  I  give  her  to  thee 
than  to  another  man;  stay  with  me.” 

So  Jacob  served  seven  years  for  Rachel;  and  they 
seemed  but  a  few  days,  because  of  the  greatness  of  his 
love. 


Jacob  and  Rachel. 

And  Jacob  married  Rachel,  and  abode  twenty  years 
in  the  land  of  Laban.  And  the  Lord  was  with  him;  and 
he  was  enriched  exceedingly;  and  he  had  many  flocks, 
maid-servants  and  men-servants,  camels  and  asses.  And 
these  are  his  sons  that  were  born  to  him:  Ruben,  the 
first  born,  and  Simeon  and  Levi,  and  Juda,  and  Issachar, 
and  Zebulon;  Joseph  and  Benjamin;  Dan  and  Nepthali; 
and  Gad  and  Aser.  And  these  are  the  sons19  of  Jacob  that 
were  born  to  him  in  Mesopotamia  of  Syria. 

Jacob’s  Wrestling  With  an  Angel:  And  after  that 
twenty  years  were  ended,  the  Lord  appeared  to  Jacob. 


THE  PATRIARCHS 


25 


saying  to  him,  “  Return  into  the  land  of  thy  fathers,  and 
to  thy  kindred,  and  I  will  be  with  thee.  ”  And  Jacob  rose 
up  and  went  his  way;  and  he  took  all  his  substance  and 
flocks,  and  whatsoever  he  had  gotten  in  Mesopotamia, 
and  went  forward  to  Isaac  his  father  to  the  land  of 
Chanaan. 

And  it  came  to 
pass,  as  he  was  mak¬ 
ing  his  journey,  that 
one  night  he  re¬ 
mained  alone  in  the 
camp;  the  rest  of 
the  company  hav¬ 
ing  passed  with  the 
substance  to  the 
further  side  of  a 
river.  And  behold, 
a  man  wrestled  with 
him  till  morning. 

And  when  he  saw 
that  he  could  not 
overcome  him,  he 
touched  the  sinew  Jacob  Wrestling  with  an  Angel. 

of  his  thigh,  and  forthwith  it  shrank.  And  he  said  to 
him,  “Let  me  go,  for  it  is  break  of  day.” 

He  answered,  “I  will  not  let  thee  go  except  thou 
bless  me.  ” 

And  he  said,  “  What  is  thy  name  ?” 

He  answered,  “Jacob.” 


26 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


But  lie  said,  “Thy  name  shall  not  be  called  Jacob,  but 
Israel;20  for  if  thou  hast  been  strong  against  God,  how 
much  more  shalt  thou  prevail  against  men.  ” 

Jacob  asked  him,  “Tell  me  by  what  name  art  thou 
called?” 

He  answered,  “Why  dost  thou  ask  my  name?”  And 
he  blessed  him  in  the  same  place. 

And  Jacob  called  the  name  of  the  place  Phanuel,21 
saying,  “I  have  seen  God  face  to  face,  and  my  soul  has 
been  saved.” 

And  Jacob  came  to  Isaac,  his  father,  in  Mambre,  the 
city  of  Arbee,  (this  is  Hebron)  and  dwelled  there. 


boston  college  library 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 


III. 

JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN. 


Joseph  Relating  His  Dream. 

more. 

And  he  said  to  them,  ‘'Hear  my  dream  which  I 
dreamed :  I  thought  we  were  binding  sheaves  in  the  field ; 


Some  Dreams  That  Joseph  Dreamed  and  What 
They  Led  To:  Now  Israel  loved  Joseph  above  all  his 
sons,  because  he 
had  him  in  his 
old  age ;  and  he 
made  him  a  coat 
of  divers  colors. 

And  his  brethren 
seeing  that  he 
was  loved  by  his 
father,  more  than 
all  his  sons,  hated 
him,  and  could 
not  speak  peace¬ 
ably  to  him.  And 
it  fell  out  also 
that  he  told  his 
brethren  a  dream1 
that  he  had 
dreamed,  which 
occasioned  them 
to  hate  him  the 


28 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  my  sheaf  arose,  as  it  were,  and  stood;  and  your 
sheaves,  standing  about,  bowed  down  before  my  sheaf.'5 

His  brethren  answered,  “Shall  thou  be  our  king;  or 
shall  we  be  subject  to  thy  dominion.” 

Therefore  this  matter  of  his  dream,  and  words,  min¬ 
istered  nourishment  to  their  envy  and  hatred. 

He  dreamed  also  another  dream  which  he  told  his 
brethren,  saying,  “I  saw  in  a  dream,  as  it  were,  the  sun 
and  the  moon  and  eleven  stars  worshipping2  me.  ” 

And  when  he  had  told  this  to  his  father  and  brethren, 
his  father  rebuked  him,  and  said,  “What  meaneth  this 
dream  which  thou  hast  dreamed?  Shall  I  and  thy  mother 
and  thy  brethren  worship  thee  upon  the  earth?" 

His  brethren  therefore  envied  him,  but  his  father  con¬ 
sidered  the  thing  with  himself. 

And  when  his  brethren  abode  in  Sichem,  feeding  their 
father’s  flocks,  Israel  said  to  him,  “Thy  brethren  feed 
the  sheep  in  Sichem;  come,  I  will  send  thee  to  them.” 
And  when  he  answered,  “I  am  ready,”  he  said  to  him, 
“Go  and  see  if  all  things  be  well  with  thy  brethren  and 
the  cattle;  and  bring  me  word  again  what  is  doing.'’ 

So  being  sent  from  the  vale  of  Hebron,  Joseph  came 
to  Sichem;  and  a  man  found  him  there,  wandering  in  a 
field,  and  asked  him  what  he  sought. 

But  he  answered,  “I  seek  my  brethren;  tell  me  where 
they  feed  the  flocks.” 

And  the  man  said  to  him,  “They  are  departed  from 
this  place,  for  I  heard  them  say,  ‘Let  us  go  to  Dothain.  ’ 
And  Joseph  went  forward  after  his  brethren,  and  found 
them  in  Dothain.3 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


29 


And  when  the  brethren  saw  Joseph  afar  off,  before  he 
came  nigh  them,  they  sought  to  kill  him,  and  said  to  one 
another,  “Behold  the  dreamer  cometli;  come  let  us  kill 
him  and  cast  him 
into  some  old  pit, 
and  we  will  say 
‘Some  evil  beast 
hath  devoured 
him  ’ ;  and  then  it 
shall  appear  what 
his  dreams  avail 
him.  ” 

But  Ruben, 
hearing  this,  en¬ 
deavored  to  de¬ 
liver  him  out  of 
their  hands,  and 
said,  “  Do  not 
take  away  his 
life,  nor  shed  his 
blood  ;  but  cast 

him  into  this  pit, 
that  is  in  the  Joseph  Sold  Into  Egypt. 

wilderness,  and  keep  your  hands  harmless.”  Now  he 
said  this,  being  desirous  to  deliver  him  out  of  their  hands, 
and  to  restore  him  to  his  father. 

As  soon,  therefore,  as  Joseph  came  to  his  brethren, 
they  forthwith  stripped  him  of  his  outside  coat  that  was 
of  divers  colors,  and  cast  him  into  an  old  pit  where  there 
was  no  water.  And  sitting  down  to  eat  bread,  they  saw 


30 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


some  Ismaelites  on  their  way,  coming  from  Galaad  with 
their  camels,  carrying  spices  and  balm  and  myrrh  to 
Egypt.  And  Juda  said  to  his  brethren,  ‘‘What  will  it 

profit  us  to  kill 
our  brother,  and 
conceal  his  blood. 
It  is  better  that 
he  be  sold  to  the 
Ismaelites,  and 
that  our  hands 
be  not  defiled ;  for 
he  is  our  brother 
and  our  flesh.” 
His  brethren 
agreed  to  his 
word.  And  when 
the  Madianite 
merchants  passed 
by,  they  drew 
him  out  of  the 
pit,  and  sold  him 
to  the  Ismaelites 
for  twenty  pieces 

of  silver;4  and  they  led  him  into  Egypt. 

And  Ruben,  returning  to  the  pit,  found  not  the  boy. 
And  rending  his  garments,5  he  went  to  his  brethren,  and 
said,  “The  boy  doth  not  appear,  and  whither  shall  I  go.  ” 
And  they  took  his  coat  and  dipped  it  in  the  blood 
of  a  kid,  which  they  had  killed,  sending  some  to  carry  it 
to  their  father  and  to  say,  “This  we  have  found;  see 


Israel’s  Grief  at  the  Sight  of  Joseph’s  Coat. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


31 


whether  it  be  thy  son’s  coat  or  not.”  And  the  father 
acknowledging  it,  said,  ”It  is  my  son’s  coat;  an  evil 
wild  beast  hath  eaten  him;  a  beast  hath  devoured 
Joseph.  ”  And  tearing  his  garments,  he  put  on  sackcloth,6 
mourning  for  his  son  a  long  time. 

Joseph  in  Prison:  And  Joseph  was  brought  into 
Egypt,  and  Putiphar,  chief  captain  of  the  army,  an 
Egyptian,  bought  him;  and  he  dwelled  in  his  master’s 
house.  And  Joseph  found  favor  in  the  sight  of  his 
master,  and  ministered  to  him;  and  the  Lord  blessed  the 
house  of  the  Egyptian  for  Joseph’s  sake,  and  multiplied 
all  his  substance,  both  at  home  and  in  the  fields. 

But  it  came  to  pass,  after  many  days,  that  false 
stories  of  evil  were  told  about  Joseph;  and  the  master 
giving  too  much  credit  to  them,  cast  Joseph  into  prison 
where  the  king’s  prisoners  were  kept;  and  he  was  there 
shut  up.  But  the  Lord  was  with  Joseph,  and  having 
mercy  upon  him,  gave  him  favor  in  the  sight  of  the  chief 
keeper  of  the  prison,  who  delivered  into  his  hand  all  the 
prisoners  that  were  kept  in  custody;  and  whatsoever 
was  done  was  under  him.  Neither  did  he  himself  know 
any  thing,  having  committed  all  things  to  him;  for 
the  Lord  was  with  him  and  made  all  that  he  did  to 
prosper. 

After  this  it  came  to  pass  that  the  butler  and  the 
baker  of  the  king  of  Egypt  offended  their  lord;  and 
Pharao7  being  angry  with  them  sent  them  to  the  prison 
of  the  commander  of  the  soldiers,  in  which  Joseph  also 
was  prisoner.  But  the  keeper  of  the  prison  delivered 


32 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


them  to  Joseph,  and  he  served  them.  And  some  little 
time  passed,  and  they  were  kept  in  custody. 

And  they  both  dreamed  a 
dream  the  same  night,  according 
to  the  interpretation  agreeing  to 
themselves.  And  when  Joseph 
was  come  in  to  them  in  the  morn¬ 
ing,  and  saw  them  sad,  he  asked 
them,  saying,  “Why  is  your  coun¬ 
tenance  sadder  today  than  usual?  ” 
They  answered,  “We  have 
dreamed  a  dream,  and  there  is  no¬ 
body  to  interpret8  it  to  us.” 

And  Joseph  said  to  them, 
“Doth  not  interpretation  belong 
to  God?  Tell  me  what  you  have 
dreamed.” 

The  chief  butler  first  told  his 
dream:  “I  saw  before  me  a  vine 
on  which  were  three  branches 
which,  by  little,  and  little,  sent  out 
buds;  and  after,  the  blossoms 
brought  forth  ripe  grapes.  And 
the  cup  of  Pliarao  was  in  my  hand ; 
and  I  took  the  grapes  and  pressed 

the  Dreams  of  the  Baker  them  lnto  the  CUP  whlch  1  hdd’ 
and  the  Butler.  and  I  gave  the  cup  to  Pharao.” 

Joseph  answered,  “This  is  the  interpretation  of  the 

dream:  The  three  branches  are  yet  three  days,  after 

which  Pharao  will  remember  thy  service  and  will  restore 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


33 


thee  to  thy  former  place;  and  thou  shalt  present  him 
the  cup,  according  to  thy  office,  as  before  thou  wast 
wont  to  do.  Only  remember  me  when  it  shall  be  well 
with  thee,  and  do  me  this  kindness:  to  put  Pliarao  in 
mind  to  take  me  out  of  this  prison;  for  I  was  taken  away 
out  of  the  land  of  the  Hebrews,  and  here  without  any 
fault  was  cast  into  the  dungeon.” 

Then  the  chief  baker,  seeing  that  he  had  wisely 
interpreted  the  dream  said,  “I  also  dreamed  a  dream: 
that  I  had  three  baskets  of  meal  upon  my  head,  and 
that  in  one  basket  that  was  uppermost,  I  carried  all 
meats  that  are  made  by  the  art  of  baking,  and  that  the 
birds  ate  out  of  it.” 

Joseph  answered,  “This  is  the  interpretation  of  the 
dream  The  three  baskets  are  yet  three  days;  after 
which  Pharao  will  take  thy  head  from  thee,  and  hang 
thee  on  a  cross,  and  the  birds  will  tear  thy  flesh.” 

The  third  day  after  this  was  the  birthday  of  the 
Pharao;  and  he  made  a  great  feast  for  his  servants;  and 
at  the  banquet,  remembering  the  chief  butler  and  the 
chief  baker,  he  restored  the  one  to  his  place  to  present 
him  the  cup:  the  other  he  hanged  on  a  gibbet;  that  the 
truth  of  the  interpreter  might  be  shown. 

But  the  chief  butler,  when  things  prospered  with 
him,  forgot  his  interpreter. 

Joseph  as  Governor  of  Egypt:  After  two  years 
Pharao  had  a  dream.  He  thought  he  stood  by  the  river, 
out  of  which  came  up  seven  kine,  very  beautiful  and  fat; 
and  they  fed  in  marshy  places.  Other  seven  also  came  up 


34 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


out  of  the  river,  ill-favored  and  lean  fleshed;  and  they 
fed  on  the  bank  of  the  river  in  green  places:  And  they 
devoured  them  whose  bodies  were  very  beautiful  and 
well  conditioned.  So  Pharao  awoke. 

He  slept  again,  and  he  dreamed  another  dream:  Seven 
ears  of  corn  came  up  upon  one  stalk,  full  and  fair;  then 
seven  other  ears  sprung  up  thin  and  blasted  and  devoured 
all  the  beauty  of  the  former. 

Pharao  awaked  after  his  rest;  and  when  morning 
was  come,  being  struck  with  fear,  he  sent  to  all  the 
interpreters9  of  Egypt,  and  to  all  the  wise  men;  and 
they  being  called  for,  he  told  them  his  dream,  and  there 
was  not  any  one  of  them  that  could  interpret  it. 

Then  at  length,  the  chief  butler  remembering,  said, 
“  I  confess  my  sin :  The  king  being  angry  with  his  servants 
commanded  me  and  the  chief  baker  to  be  cast  into  the 
prison  of  the  captain  of  the  soldiers,  where,  in  one  night, 
both  of  us  dreamed  a  dream  forboding  things  to  come. 
And  there  was  there  a  young  man,  a  Hebrew,  servant 
to  the  same  captain  of  the  soldiers,  to  whom  we  told 
our  dreams.  And  we  heard  what  afterwards  the  event 
of  the  thing  proved  to  be  so;  for  I  was  restored  to  my 
office,  and  he  was  hanged  upon  a  gibbet.” 

Forthwith,  at  the  king’s  command,  Joseph  was 
brought  out  of  prison;  and  they  shaved  him,10  and 
changing  his  apparel,  brought  him  in  to  him. 

And  he  said  to  him,  ”1  have  dreamed  dreams,  and 
there  is  no  one  that  can  expound  them.” 

Joseph  answered,  “Without  me,11  God  shall  give 
Pharao  a  prosperous  answer.” 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


35 


So  Pharao  told  what  he  had  dreamed:  “Methought 
I  stood  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  seven  kine  came 
up  out  of  the  river,  exceeding  beautiful  and  full  of  flesh; 
and  they  grazed  on  green  places  in  marshy  pasture. 
And  behold  there  followed  these,  other  seven  kine,  so 
ill  favored  and  lean  that  I  never  saw  the  like  in  the  land 
of  Egypt;  and  they  devoured  and  consumed  the  former. 


Joseph  Interpreting  the  Dreams  to  Pharao. 

and  yet  gave  no  mark  of  their  being  full,  but  were  as 
lean  and  ill  favored  as  before.  I  awoke  and  then  fell 
asleep  again  and  dreamed  a  dream:  Seven  ears  of  corn 
grew  upon  one  stalk,  full  and  fair;  other  seven  also,  thin 
and  blasted,  sprung  of  the  stock,  and  they  devoured 
the  beautv  of  the  former.  I  told  this  dream  to  the 
conjecturers,  and  there  is  no  man  that  can  expound  it.’' 

Joseph  answered,  “The  king’s  dream  is  one:  God 
hath  shown  to  Pharao  what  He  is  about  to  do.  The 
seven  beautiful  kine  and  the  seven  full  ears  are  seven 


36 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


years  of  plenty;  and  both  contain  the  same  meaning  of 
the  dream.  And  the  seven  lean  and  thin  kine  that  came 
up  after  them;  and  the  seven  thin  ears  that  were  blasted 
with  the  burning  wind,  are  seven  years  of  famine  to  come, 
which  shall  be  fulfilled  in  this  order:  Behold  there  shall 
come  seven  years  of  great  plenty  in  the  whole  land  of 
Egypt,  after  which  shall  follow  other  seven  years  of  so 
great  scarcity  that  all  the  abundance  before  shall  be 
forgotten,  for  the  famine  shall  consume  all  the  land; 
and  the  greatness  of  the  scarcity  shall  destroy  the  great¬ 
ness  of  the  plenty.  And  for  that  thou  didst  see  the 
second  time  a  dream  pertaining  to  the  same  thing,  it  is  a 
token  of  the  certainty,  and  that  the  word  of  God  cometh 
to  pass  and  is  fulfilled  speedily.  Now  therefore,  let  the 
king  provide  a  wise  and  industrious  man,  and  make 
him  ruler  over  the  land  of  Egypt,  that  he  may  appoint 
overseers  over  all  the  countries,  and  gather  into  barns 
the  fifth  part  of  the  fruits  during  the  seven  fruitful  years 
that  shall  now  presently  ensue;  and  let  all  the  corn  be 
laid  up  under  Pharao’s  hands,  and  be  reserved  in  the 
cities,  and  let  it  be  in  readiness  against  the  famine  of 
seven  years  to  come,  which  shall  oppress  Egypt;  and 
the  land  shall  not  be  consumed  with  scarcity/’ 

The  counsel  pleased  Pharao  and  all  his  servants;  and 
he  said  to  them,  “Can  we  find  such  another  man  that  is 
full  of  the  spirit  of  God?” 

He  said  therefore  to  Joseph,  ”  Seeing  God  hath  shown 
thee  all  that  thou  hast  said,  can  I  find  one  wiser  and 
one  like  unto  thee?  Thou  shaft  be  over  my  house;  and 
at  the  commandment  of  thy  mouth,  all  the  people  shall 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


37 


obey:  only  in  the  kingly  throne  will  I  be  above  thee.” 
And  he  took  his  ring  from  his  own  hand  and  gave  it  into 
his  hand;  and  he  put  upon  him  a  robe  of  silk,  and  put 
a  chain  of  gold  about  his  neck;  and  he  made  him  go  up 
into  his  second  chariot,  the  crier  proclaiming  that  all 
should  bow  their  knee  before  him,  and  that  they  should 
know  he  was  made  governor  over  the  whole  land  of  Egypt. 
And  he  turned  his  name  and  called  him  in  the  Egyptian 
tongue,  “The  Savior  of  the  World.” 

How  the  Dream  About  the  Sheaves  Came  True: 
Now  when  the  seven  years  of  plenty  that  had  been  in 
Egypt  were  passed,  the  seven  years  of  scarcity,  which 
Joseph  had  foretold,  began  to  come;  and  the  famine 
prevailed  in  the  whole  world,  but  there  was  bread  in  all 
the  land  of  Egypt.  And  when  the  people  cried  to  Pharao 
for  food,  he  said  to  them,  “Go  to  Joseph12  and  do  all  that 
he  shall  say  to  you.”  And  all  the  provinces  came 
in  to  Egypt  to  buy  food  and  to  seek  some  relief  in 
their  want. 

And  Jacob,  hearing  in  Chanaan  that  food  was  sold 
in  Egypt,  said  to  his  sons,  “Why  are  ye  careless?  I  have 
heard  that  wheat  is  sold  in  Egypt;  go  ye  down,  and  buy 
us  necessaries,  that  we  may  live  and  not  be  consumed 
with  want.” 

So  the  ten  brethren  of  Joseph  went  down  to  buy  corn 
in  Egypt;  whilst  Benjamin13  was  kept  at  home  by  Jacob, 
who  said  to  his  brethren,  “Lest  perhaps  he  take  any 
harm  in  the  journey.”  And  they  entered1  into  the  land 
of  Egypt  with  others  that  went  to  buy . 


38 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Now  Joseph  was  governor  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and 
corn  was  sold  by  his  direction  to  the  people.  And  when 
his  brethren  had  bowed  down  to  him,  he  knew  them, 
but  he  spoke,  as  it  were  to  strangers,  somewhat  rough¬ 
ly,  asking  them, 
“Whence  came 
you? 

They  answered, 
“From  the  land  of 
Chanaan,  to  buy 
necessaries  of  life.” 
For  though  Joseph 
knew  his  brethren, 
he  was  not  known 
by  them.  And  re¬ 
membering  the 
dreams14  which 
formerly  he  had 
dreamed,  he  said  to 
them,  “  You  are 
spies;  you  have 

Joseph  Selling  Corn  in  Egypt.  COme  to  \  ie\\  tile 

weaker  parts  of  the 
land.”  But  they  said,  “It  is  not  so,  my  lord,  but 
thy  servants  are  come  to  buy  food.  We  are  all  the  sons 
of  one  man;  we  are  come  as  peaceable  men;  neither  do 
thy  servants  go  about  any  evil.” 

And  he  answered  them,  “  It  is  otherwise;  you  are  come 
to  consider  the  unfenced  parts  of  this  land.” 


i 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


39 


But  they  said  "We,  thy  servants,  are  twelve  brethren, 
the  sons  of  one  man  in  the  land  of  Chanaan;  the  youngest 
is  with  our  father,  the  other  is  not  living.” 

He  saitli,  “This  is  that  I  said;  you  are  spies.  I  shall 
now  presently  try  what  you  are.  By  the  health  of 
Pharao  you  shall  not  depart  hence,  until  your  youngest 
brother  come.  Send  one  of  you  to  fetch  him,  and  you 
shall  be  in  prison  till  what  you  have  said  be  proved, 
whether  it  be  true  or  false;  or  else,  by  the  health  of 
Pharao,  you  are  spies.”  So  he  put  them  in  prison  three 
days. 

And  the  third  day  he  brought  them  out  of  prison, 
and  said,  “Do  as  I  have  said,  and  you  shall  live;  for  I 
fear  God.  If  you  be  peaceable  men,  let  one  of  your 
brethren  be  bound  in  prison,  and  go  ye  your  ways  and 
carry  the  corn  that  you  have  bought  into  your  houses; 
and  bring  your  youngest  brother  to  me,  that  I  may 
find  your  words  to  be  true,  and  you  may  not  die.”  And 
they  did  as  he  had  said. 

Then  they  talked  to  one  another,  “We  deserve  to 
suffer  these  things  because  we  have  sinned  against  our 
brother,  seeing  the  anguish  of  his  soul  when  he  besought 
us  and  we  would  not  hear;  therefore  is  this  affliction 
come  upon  us.” 

And  Ruben  said,  “Did  I  not  say  to  you  ‘Do  not  sin 
against  the  boy’?  And  you  would  not  hear  me;  Behold, 
his  blood  is  required.” 

And  they  knew  not  that  Joseph  understood,  because 
he  spoke  to  them  by  an  interpreter.  And  he  turned 
himself  away  a  little  while,  and  wept.  And  returning 


40 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


lie  spoke  to  them;  and  taking  Simeon,  and  binding  him 
in  their  presence,  he  commanded  his  servants  to  fill  their 
sacks  with  wheat,  and  to  put  every  man’s  money  again  in 
their  sacks,  and  to  give  them  besides  provisions  for  the 
way;  and  they  did  so.  And  they,  having  loaded  their 
asses  with  corn,  went  their  way. 


Simeon  Bound. 


And  one  of  them,  opening  his  sack  to  give  his  beast 
provender,  in  the  inn,  saw  the  money  in  the  sack’s  mouth, 
and  he  said  to  his  brethren,  “My  money  is  given  to  me 
again;  behold,  it  is  in  the  sack.” 

And  they  were  astonished  and  troubled,  and  said  to 
one  another,  “What  is  this  that  God  hath  done  to  us?” 

And  they  came  to  Jacob,  their  father,  in  the  land  of 
Ghana  an,  and  they  told  him  all  the  things  that  had 
befallen  them.  And  when  they  had  told  him,  they 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


41 


poured  out  their  corn,  and  every  man  found  his  money 
tied  in  the  mouth  of  his  sack.  And  all  being  astonished 
together,  their  father  Jacob  said,  “You  have  made  me 
to  be  without  children;  Joseph  is  not  living;  Simeon  is 
kept  in  bonds;  and  Benjamin  you  will  take  away:  all 
these  evils  are  befallen  me.” 

And  Ruben  answered  him,  “Kill  my  two  sons,  if  I 
bring  him  not  again  to  thee.  Deliver  him  into  my  hand 
and  I  will  restore  him  to  thee.” 

But  he  said,  “My  son  shall  not  go  down  with  you; 
his  brother  is  dead,  and  he  is  left  alone;  if  any  mischief 
befall  him  in  the  land  to  which  you  go,  you  will  bring 
down  my  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave.” 

The  Meeting  Between  Joseph  and  Benjamin:  In 
the  meantime  the  famine  continued  heavy  upon  all  the 
land.  And  when  they  had  eaten  up  all  the  corn  which 
they  had  brought  out  of  Egypt,  Jacob  said  to  his  sons, 
“Go  again  and  buy  us  a  little  food.” 

Juda  answered,  “The  man  declared  unto  us,  with  the 
attestation  of  an  oath,  saying,  ‘You  shall  not  see  my  face, 
unless  you  bring  your  youngest  brother  with  you.’  ” 

Israel  said  to  them,  “You  have  done  this  for  my 
misery,  in  that  you  told  him  you  had  also  another 
brother.” 

But  they  answered  him,  “The  man  asked  us,  in  order, 
concerning  our  kindred:  if  our  father  lived;  if  we  had  a 
brother;  and  we  answered  him  regularly,  according  to 
what  he  demanded.  Could  we  know  that  he  would  say, 
‘Bring  hither  your  brother  with  yoiC’  ” 


42 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Juda  said  to  his  father,  ''Send  the  boy  with  me, 
that  we  may  set  forward  and  may  live,  lest  both  we  and 
onr  children  perish.  I  take  the  boy  upon  me;  require 
him  at  my  hand;  unless  I  bring  him  again  and  restore 
him  to  thee,  I  will  be  guilty  of  sin  against  thee  forever; 
if  delay  had  not  been  made,  we  had  been  here  again  the 
second  time.” 

Then  Israel  said  to  them,  tkIf  it  must  needs  be  so,  do 
what  you  will.  Take  of  the  best  fruits  of  the  land  in  your 
vessels,  and  carry  down  presents  to  the  man:  a  little 
balm,  and  honey  and  storax,  myrrh,  turpentine  and 
almonds;  and  take  with  you  double  money,  and  carry 
back  what  you  found  in  your  sacks,  lest  perhaps  it  was 
done  by  mistake;  and  take  also  your  brother  and  go  to 
the  man;  and  may  my  Almighty  God  make  him  favorable 
to  you;  and  send  back  with  you  your  brother  whom  he 
keepeth,  and  this  Benjamin:  and  as  for  me,  I  shall  be 
desolate  without  children.” 

So  the  men  took  the  presents  and  double  money  and 
Benjamin,  and  went  down  into  Egypt,  and  stood  before 
Joseph. 

And  when  Joseph  had  seen  them  and  Benjamin  with 
them,  he  commanded  the  steward  of  his  house,  saying, 
“Bring  in  the  men  into  the  house,  and  kill  victims,  and 
prepare  a  feast,  because  they  shall  eat  with  me  at  noon.” 
He  did  as  he  was  commanded,  and  brought  the  men  into 
the  house. 

And  they  being  much  afraid,  said  there,  one  to  another, 
“Because  of  the  money  which  we  carried  back  the  first 
time  in  our  sacks,  we  are  brought  in;  that  we  may  bring 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


43 


upon  us  a  false  accusation,  and  by  violence  make  slaves 
of  us  and  our  asses/’ 

Wherefore,  going  up  to  the  steward  of  the  house,  at 
the  door,  they  said,  “Sir,  we  desire  thee  to  hear  us:  We 
came  down  once  before  to  buy  food;  and  when  we  had 
bought  and  come  to  the  inn,  we  opened  our  sacks,  and 
found  our  money  in  the  mouths  of  the  sacks;  which  we 
have  now  brought  again  in  the  same  weight.  And  we 
have  brought  other  money  besides,  to  buy  what  we  want; 
we  cannot  tell  who  put  it  in  our  bags.” 

But  he  answered,  “Peace  be  with  you;  fear  not: 
your  God  and  the  God  of  your  father  hath  given  you 
treasure  in  your  sacks;  for  the  money  which  you  gave 
me,  I  have  for  good.”  And  he  brought  Simeon  out  to 
them;  and  having  brought  them  into  the  house,  he 
fetched  water;  and  they  washed  their  feet;15  and  he  gave 
provender  to  their  asses. 

Then  they  made  ready  the  presents,  against  Joseph 
came  at  noon;  for  they  had  heard  that  they  should  eat 
bread  there.  And  when  Joseph  came  into  the  house,  they 
offered  him  the  presents,  holding  them  in  their  hands; 
and  they  bowed  down  with  their  face  to  the  ground. 

But  he,  courteously  saluting  them  again,  asked  them, 
saying,  “Is  the  old  man,  your  father,  in  health,  of  whom 
you  told  me?  Is  he  yet  living?” 

And  they  answered,  “Thy  servant,  our  father,  is  in 
health;  he  is  yet  living.”  And  bowing  themselves,  they 
made  obeisance  to  him. 

And  Joseph,  lifting  up  his  eyes,  saw  Benjamin,  his 
brother,  and  said,  “Is  this  your  young  brother,  of  whom 


44 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


you  told  me?”  And  he  said,  “God  be  gracious  to  thee, 
my  son.”  And  he  made  haste,  because  his  heart  was 
moved  upon  his  brother;  and  tears  gushed  out;  and 
going  into  his  chamber,  he  wept. 

And  when  he  had  washed  his  face,  coming  out  again, 
he  refrained  himself,  and  said,  “Set  bread  on  the  table.” 
And  when  it  was  set  on,  for  Joseph  apart,  and  for  his 
brethren  apart,  and  for  the  Egyptians  also  that  ate  with 
him  apart,  (for  it  is  unlawful  for  the  Egyptians  to  eat  with 
the  Hebrews,  and  they  think  such  a  feast  profane),  they 
sat  before  him,  the  first-born,  according  to  his  birthright, 
and  the  youngest,  according  to  his  age.  And  they 
wondered  very  much,16  taking  the  messes17  which  they 
received  of  him.  And  the  greater  mess  came  to  Benja¬ 
min,  so  that  it  exceeded  by  five  parts.  And  they  drank, 
and  were  merry  with  him. 


Benjamin  and  the  Silver  Divining  Cup:  And 
Joseph  commanded  the  steward  of  his  house,  saying, 
“Fill  their  sacks  with  corn,  as  much  as  they  can  hold; 
and  put  the  money  of  every  one  in  the  top  of  his  sack; 
and  the  mouth  of  the  younger ’s  sack,  put  my  silver  cup, 
and  the  price  which  he  gave  for  the  wheat.”  And  it  was 
so  done.  And  when  the  morning  arose,  they  were  sent 
away  with  their  asses. 

And  when  they  were  now  departed  out  of  the  city,  and 
had  gone  forward  a  little  way,  Joseph,  sending  for  the 
steward  of  his  house  said,  “Arise  and  pursue  after  the 
men;  and  when  thou  hast  overtaken  them,  say  to  them, 
‘Why  have  you  returned  evil  for  good?  The  cup  which 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


4  5 


you  have  stolen,  is  that  in  which  my  lord  drinketh,  and 
in  which  he  is  wont  to  divine:18  you  have  done  an  evil 
thing.  ’ 

He  did  as  he  commanded  him;  and  having  overtaken 
them,  he  spoke  to  them  the  same  words. 

And  they  answered,  “Why  doth  our  Lord  speak  so, 
as  though  thy  servants  had  committed  so  heinous  a  fact? 


Finding  the  Divining  Cup  in  Benjamin’s  Sack. 

The  money  that  we  found  in  the  top  of  our  sacks,  we 
brought  back  to  thee  from  the  land  of  Chanaan;  how 
then  should  it  be  that  we  should  steal  out  of  our  lord’s 
house,  gold  and  silver?  With  whomsoever  of  thy  servants 
shall  be  found  that  which  thou  seekest,  let  him  die  and 
we  will  be  the  bondmen  of  my  lord/’ 

And  he  said  to  them,  “Let  it  be  according  to  your 
sentence;  with  whomsoever  it  shall  be  found,  let  him 
be  my  servant,  and  you  shall  be  blameless/’ 


46 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Then  they  speedily  took  down  their  sacks  to  the 
ground,  and  every  man  opened  his  sack;  which,  when 
he  had  searched,  beginning  at  the  eldest  and  ending  at 
the  youngest,  he  found  the  cup  in  Benjamin’s  sack.  And 
they  rent  their  garments,  and  loading  their  asses  again, 
returned  into  the  town.  And  Juda,  at  the  head  of  his 
brethren,  went  in  to  Joseph  (for  he  was  not  yet  out  of 
the  place)  and  they  altogether  fell  down  before  him  on 
the  ground. 

And  Joseph  said  to  them,  “Why  would  you  do  so? 
Know  you  not  that  there  is  no  one  like  me  in  the  science 
or  divining  r 

And  Juda  said  to  him,  “What  shall  we  answer  my 
lord;  or  what  shall  we  say,  or  be  able  justly  to  allege? 
God  hath  found  out  the  iniquity  of  thy  servants:  behold, 
we  are  all  bondmen  to  my  lord;  both  we  and  he  with 
whom  the  cup  was  found.” 

Joseph  answered,  “God  forbid  that  I  should  do  so; 
he  that  stole  the  cup,  he  shall  be  my  bondman;  and  go 
you  away  free  to  your  father." 

Then  Juda,  coming  nearer,  said  boldly,  “I  beseech 
thee,  my  lord,  let  thy  servant  speak  a  word  in  thy  ears, 
and  be  not  angry  with  thy  servant;  for  after  Pliarao, 
thou  art  my  lord.  Thou  didst  ask  thy  servant  the  first 
time,  ‘Have  you  a  father  or  a  brother,’  and  we  answered 
thee,  my  lord,  ‘We  have  a  father,  an  old  man;  and  a 
young  boy  that  was  born  in  his  old  age,  whose  brother 
by  the  mother  is  dead;  and  he  alone  is  left  of  his  mother; 
and  his  father  loveth  him  tenderly.’  And  thou  saidst 
to  thy  servants,  ‘  Bring  him  hither  to  me,  and  I  will  set 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


47 


my  eyes  upon  him.’  We  suggested  to  my  lord,  ‘The  boy 
cannot  leave  his  father,  for  if  he  leave  him,  his  father  will 
die.’  And  thou  saidst  to  thy  servants,  ‘Except  your 
youngest  brother  come  with  you,  you  shall  see  my  face 
no  more.’  Therefore,  when  we  were  gone  up  to  thy  ser¬ 
vant,  our  father,  we  told  him  all  that  my  lord  had  said. 
And  our  father  said,  ‘  Go  again,  and  buy  us  a  little  wheat.’ 
And  we  said  to  him,  ‘We  cannot  go  unless  our  youngest 
brother  go  down  with  us;  we  will  set  out  together,  other¬ 
wise,  without  him,  we  dare  not  see  the  man’s  face.’ 
Whereunto  our  father  answered,  ‘You  know  that  my 
wife  bore  me  two  sons;  one  when  out,  and  you  said: 
A  beast  devoured  him;  and  hitherto  he  appeareth  not: 
if  you  take  this  also,  and  anything  befall  him  in  the  way, 
you  will  bring  down  my  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the 
grave.’  Therefore,  if  I  shall  go  to  thy  servant,  our 
father,  and  the  boy  be  wanting  (whereas  his  life  dependeth 
upon  the  life  of  him)  and  he  shall  see  that  he  is  not  with 
us,  he  will  die,  and  thy  servants  shall  bring  down  his 
gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave.  Let  me  be  thy 
proper  servant,  who  took  him  into  my  trust,  and  prom¬ 
ised  saying,  ‘If  I  bring  him  not  again,  I  will  be  guilty 
of  sin  against  my  father  forever.’  Therefore,  I,  thy 
servant,  will  stay  instead  of  the  boy  in  the  service  of  my 
lord,  and  let  the  boy  go  up  with  his  brethren;  for  I  can¬ 
not  return  to  my  father  without  the  boy,  lest  I  be  a 
witness  of  the  calamity  that  will  oppress  my  father.” 

Then  Joseph  could  no  longer  restrain  himself  before 
many  that  stood  by;  whereupon  he  commanded  that 
all  should  go  out,  and  no  stranger  be  present  at  their 


48 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


knowing  one  another:  and  he  lifted  np  his  voice  with 
weeping,  which  the  Egyptians  and  all  the  house  of 
Pharao  heard.  And  he  said  to  his  brethren,  “I  am 
Joseph;  is  my  father  living?” 

His  brethren  could  not  answer  him,  being  struck 
with  exceeding  great  fear.  And  he  said  mildly  to  them, 

Come  nearer  to 
me.  ”  And  when 
they  were  come 
near  him,  he  said, 
“I  am  Joseph,  your 
brother,  whom  you 
sold  into  Egypt;  be 
not  afraid,  and  let 
it  not  seem  to  you 
a  hard  case  that  you 
sold  me  into  these 
countries ;  for  God 
sent  me  before  you 
into  Egypt  for  your 
preservation.19  For 
it  is  two  years  since 
the  famine  began  to 
be  upon  the  land, 
and  five  years  more 
remain,  wherein  there  can  be  neither  plowing  nor  reaping. 
And  God  sent  me  before,  that  you  may  be  preserved  upon 
the  earth,  and  may  have  food  to  live.  Not  by  your  counsel 
was  I  sent  hither,  but  by  the  will  of  God,  who  hath  made 
me,  as  it  were,  a  father  to  Pharao,  the  lord  of  his  whole 


Joseph  Making  Himself  Known  to  His  Brethren. 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


49 


house,  and  Governor  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  Make 
haste  and  go  up  to  my  father  and  say  to  him,  4  Thus  saith 
thy  son  Joseph:  God  hath  made  me  Lord  of  the  whole 
land  of  Egypt;  come  down  to  me,  linger  not.  And  thou 
shalt  dwell  in  the  land  of  Gessen;  and  thou  shalt  be  near 
me,  thou  and  thy  sons,  and  thy  son’s  sons,  thy  sheep,  and 
thy  herds,  and  all  things  that  thou  hast.  And  there  1 
will  feed  thee,  (for  there  are  yet  five  years  of  famine 
remaining)  lest  both  thou  perish  and  thy  house,  and  all 
things  that  thou  hast.’  Behold,  your  eyes  and  the  eyes 
of  my  brother  Benjamin  see  that  it  is  my  mouth  that 
speaketh  to  you.  You  shall  tell  my  father  of  all  my 
glory,  and  all  things  that  you  have  seen  in  Egypt:  make 
haste  and  bring  him  to  me.”  And  falling  upon  the  neck 
of  his  brother  Benjamin,  he  embraced  him  and  wept;  and 
Benjamin  in  like  manner  wept  also  on  his  neck.  And 
Joseph  kissed  all  his  brethren,  and  wept  upon  every  one 
of  them;  after  which  they  were  emboldened  to  speak  to 
him. 

And  it  was  heard;  and  the  fame  was  abroad  in  the 
king’s  court:  “The  brethren  of  Joseph  are  come;”  and 
Pharao,  with  all  his  family,  was  glad.  And  he  spoke  to 
Joseph  that  he  should  give  orders  to  his  brethren,  saying, 
“Load  your  beasts  and  go  into  the  land  of  Chanaan; 
and  bring  away  from  thence  your  father  and  kindred, 
and  come  to  me;  and  I  will  give  you  all  the  good  things 
of  Egypt,  that  you  may  eat  the  marrow  of  the  land. 
Give  orders  also  that  they  take  wagons  out  of  the  land 
of  Egypt,  for  the  carriage  of  their  children  and  their 
wives,  and  say,  ‘Take  up  your  father,  and  make  haste 


50 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


to  come  with  all  speed;  and  leave  nothing  of  yonr  house¬ 
hold  stuff,  for  all  the  riches  of  Egypt  shall  be  yours.’  ” 

And  the  sons  of  Israel  did  as  they  were  bid.  And 
Joseph  gave  them  wagons  according  to  Pharao’s  com¬ 
mandment,  and  provisions  for  the  way.  He  ordered 
also  to  be  brought  for  every  one  of  them  two  robes,  but 
to  Benjamin,  he  gave  three  hundred  pieces  of  silver,  with 
five  robes  of  the  best;  and  he  sent  to  his  father  as  much 
money  and  raiment,  adding  besides  ten  he-asses  to  carry 
off  all  the  riches  of  Egypt,  and  as  many  she-asses,  carrying 
wheat  and  bread  for  the  journey.  So  he  sent  away  his 
brethren,  and  at  their  departing  said  to  them,  “Be  not 
angry  in  the  way.” 

And  they  went  up  out  of  Egypt,  and  came  into  the 
land  of  Chanaan  to  their  father  Jacob.  And  thev  told 
him,  saying,  “Joseph,  thy  son,  is  living,  and  he  is  ruler 
of  all  the  land  of  Egypt;”  which  when  Jacob  heard,  he 
awaked  as  it  were  out  of  a  deep  sleep;  yet  did  not  believe 
them.  They,  on  the  other  side,  told  the  whole  order  of 
the  thing.  And  when  he  saw  the  wagons  and  all  that 
he  had  sent,  his  spirit  revived,  and  he  said,  “It  is  enough 
for  me  if  Joseph  my  son  be  yet  living,  I  will  go  down  and 
see  him  before  I  die.” 

The  Settlement  of  Israel  in  Egypt:  And  Israel, 
taking  his  journey  with  all  that  he  had,  came  to  the 
“Well  of  the  Oath;”  and  killing  victims  there  to  the 
God  of  his  father  Isaac,  he  heard  Him,  by  a  vision  in  the 
night,  calling  him,  and  saying,  “Jacob,  Jacob.” 

And  he  answered,  “Lo,  here  I  am.” 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


51 


And  God  said  to  him;  “I  am  the  most  mighty  God 
of  thy  father;  fear  not;  go  down  into  Egypt,  for  I  will 
make  a  great  nation  of  thee  there.  I  will  go  down  with 
thee  thither,  and  will  bring  thee  back  again  from  thence: 
Joseph  also  shall  put  his  hands  upon  thy  eyes.”20 

And  Jacob  rose  up  from  the  “Well  of  the  Oath;" 
and  his  sons  took  him,  with  their  children  and  wives,  in 
the  wagons,  which  Pharao  had  sent  to  carry  the  old  man, 
and  all  that  he  had  in  the  land  of  Chanaan.  And  he  came 
into  Egypt  with  all  his  seed:  his  sons,  and  grandsons, 
daughters,  and  all  his  offspring  together. 

And  he  sent  Juda  before  him  to  Joseph  to  tell  him; 
and  that  he  should  meet  him  in  Gessen.  And  when  he 
was  come  thither,  Joseph  made  ready  his  chariot,  and 
went  up  to  meet  his  father  in  the  same  place;  and 
seeing  him  he  fell  upon  his  neck,  and  embracing  him, 
wept.  And  the  father  said  to  Joseph,  "Now  shall  I  die 
with  joy  because  I  have  seen  thy  face,  and  leave  thee 
alive.” 

Then  Joseph  went  in  and  told  Pharao  saying,  "My 
father  and  brethren,  their  sheep  and  their  herds,  and  all 
that  they  possess,  are  come  out  of  the  land  of  Chanaan, 
and  behold,  they  stand  in  the  land  of  Gessen.”  Five 
men  also,  the  last  of  his  brethren,  he  presented  before 
the  king. 

And  the  king  asked  them,  "What  is  your  occupa¬ 
tion?  ” 

They  answered,  "We,  thy  servants,  are  shepherds; 
both  we,  and  our  fathers;  we  are  come  to  sojourn  in  thy 
land,  because  there  is  no  grass  for  the  flocks  of  thy 


52 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


servants,  the  famine  being  very  grievous  in  the  land  of 
Chanaan;  and  we  pray  thee  to  give  orders  that  we  thy 
servants  may  be  in  the  land  of  Gessen.”21 

The  king,  therefore,  said  to  Joseph,  “Thy  father  and 
thy  brethren  are  come  to  thee;  the  land  of  Egypt  is 
before  thee;  make  them  dwell  in  the  best  place,  and  give 
them  the  land  of  Gessen.  And  if  thou  knowest  that 


Joseph  Presents  His  Father  to  Pharao. 


there  are  industrious  men  among  them,  make  them 
rulers  over  my  cattle.” 

After  this  Joseph  brought  in  his  father  to  the  king, 
and  presented  him  before  him;  and  he  blessed  him. 
And  being  asked  by  him,  “  How  many  are  the  days  of 
the  years  of  thy  life?”  he  answered,  “The  days  of  my 
pilgrimage  are  a  hundred  and  thirty  years,  few  and 
evil,  and  they  are  not  come  up  to  the  days  of  the  pilgrimage 
of  my  fathers.”  And  blessing  the  king,  he  went  out. 

So  Joseph  gave  a  possession  to  his  father  and  his 
brethren  in  Egypt,  in  the  best  place  of  the  land,  in 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN 


53 


Rameses,22  as  Pharao  had  commanded.  And  Israel 
dwelt  in  Egypt,  that  is,  in  the  land  of  Gessen,  and  pos¬ 
sessed  it,  and  grew  and  was  multiplied  exceedingly.  And 
he  lived  in  it  seventeen  years;  and  all  the  days  of  his 
life  came  to  a  hundred  and  forty-seven  years. 

And  when  he  saw  that  the  day  of  his  death  drew  nigh, 
he  called  his  sons,  and  he  blessed  every  one  with  their 
proper  blessings.  But  to  Joseph  he  said,  “The  blessings 
of  thy  father  are  strengthened  with  the  blessings  of  his 
fathers,  until  the  Desire  of  the  Everlasting  Hills 
Should  Come;  may  they  be  upon  the  head  of  Joseph, 
and  upon  the  crown  of  the  Nazarite  among  his  brethren.” 
And  he  charged  them  saying,  “I  am  going  to  be 
gathered  to  my  people;  bury  me  with  my  fathers  in 
the  double  cave,  over  against  Mambre,  in  the  land  of 
Chanaan.”  And  when  he  had  ended  his  commandment, 
wherewith  he  instructed  his  sons,  he  drew  up  his  feet 
upon  the  bed,  and  died;  and  he  was  gathered  to  his 
people. 

So  the  sons  of  Jacob  did  as  he  had  commanded  them. 
And  carrying  him  into  the  land  of  Chanaan  they  buried 
him  in  the  double  cave  which  Abraham  had  bought, 
together  with  the  field,  for  a  possession  of  a  burying  place, 
of  Ephron  the  Hethite,  over  against  Mambre. 

And  Joseph  returned  into  Egypt  with  his  brethren, 
and  all  that  were  in  his  company,  after  he  had  buried  his 
father.  And  he  dwelled  in  Egypt,  with  all  his  father’s 
house,  and  lived  a  hundred  and  ten  years.  After  which 
he  told  his  brethren,  “God  will  visit  you  after  my  death, 
and  will  make  you  go  up  out  of  this  land,  to  the  land 


54 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


which  he  swore  to  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob.”  And 
he  made  them  swear  to  him,  saying,  “God  will  visit  you; 
carry  my  bones  with  you  out  of  this  place.”  And  he 
died,  being  a  hundred  and  ten  years  old.  And  being 
embalmed,  he  was  laid  in  a  coffin  in  Egypt.23 


IV. 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES. 

The  Bondage  of  Israel:  After  Joseph  was  dead, 
and  all  his  brethren,  and  all  that  generation,  the  children 
of  Israel  increased,  and  sprung  up  into  multitudes;  and 
growing  exceedingly  strong,  they  filled  the  land. 

But  in  the  meantime,  there  arose  a  new  king  over 
Egypt  that  knew  not  Joseph;  and  he  said  to  his  people, 
“Behold  the  people  of  the  children  of  Israel  are  numerous, 
and  stronger  than  we;  come,  let  us  wisely  oppress  them, 
lest  they  multiply,  and,  if  any  war  shall  rise  against  us, 
join  with  our  enemies,  and  having  overcome  us,  depart 
out  of  the  land.”  Therefore  he  set  over  them  masters  of 
the  work,  to  afflict  them  with  burdens;  and  they  built 
for  Pharao  treasure  cities,  Pithom  and  Rameses.  But 
the  more  he  oppressed  them,  the  more  they  were  multi¬ 
plied,  and  increased.  And  the  Egyptians  hated  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  afflicted  them,  and  mocked  them; 
and  they  made  their  life  bitter  with  hard  works  in  clay, 
and  brick,  and  with  all  manner  of  service,  wherewith 
they  were  overcharged  in  the  works  of  the  earth.  And 
the  king  of  Egypt  charged  all  his  people  saying,  “What¬ 
soever  shall  be  born  of  the  male  sex,  ye  shall  cast  into 
the  river;  whatsoever  of  the  female,  ye  shall  save  alive." 

The  Birth  of  Moses:  After  this  there  went  a  man  of 
the  house  of  Levi,  and  took  a  wife  of  his  own  kindred; 


56 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  she  conceived,  and  bore  a  son;  and  seeing  him  a 
goodly  child,  hid  him  three  months.  And  when  she  could 
hide  him  no  longer,  she  took  a  basket  made  of  bulrushes, 
and  daubed  it  with  slime  and  pitch,  and  put  the  little 
babe  therein,  and  laid  him  in  the  sedges1  by  the  river’s 
brink;  his  sister,  standing  afar  off,  and  taking  notice  what 
would  be  done. 


The  Finding  of  the  Babe  Moses  on  the  River’s  Bank. 


And  behold,  the  daughter  of  Pharao  came  down  to 
wash  herself  in  the  river;  and  her  maids  walked  by  the 
river’s  brink.  And  when  she  saw  the  basket  in  the 
sedges,  she  sent  one  of  her  maids  for  it;  and  when  it  was 
brought,  she  opened  it,  and  seeing  within  it  an  infant 
crying,  having  compassion  on  it,  she  said,  “This  is  one 
of  the  babes  of  the  Hebrews.” 

And  the  child’s  sister  said  to  her,  “Shall  I  go  and  call 
to  thee  a  Hebrew  woman  to  nurse  the  babe?” 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES  57 

She  answered,  “Go.”  The  maid  went  and  called  her 
mother. 

And  Pharao’s  daughter  said  to  her,  “Take  this  child 
and  nurse  him  for  me;  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages.” 

So  the  woman  took,  and  nursed  the  child:  and  when 
he  was  grown  up,  she  delivered  him  to  Pharao’s  daughter. 

And  she  adopted  him  for  a  son,  and  called  him  Moses.2 

The  Burning  Bush:  Now  it  came  to  pass,  after 
Moses  was  grown  up,  that  he  fled  from  the  sight  of 
Pharao,3  and  went  to  dwell  with  a  man  named  Jethro, 
in  the  land  of  Median.4  And  one  day,  as  he  fed  the  sheep 
of  Jethro,  near  the  mountain  of  God,  Iloreb,5  the  Lord 
appeared  to  him,  in  a  flame  of  fire  out  of  the  midst  of  a 
bush ;  and  he  saw  that  the  bush  was  on  fire  and  was  not 
burnt.  And  Moses  said,  “  I  will  go  and  see  this  great  sight, 
why  the  bush  is  not  burnt.” 

And  when  the  Lord  saw  that  he  went  forward  to  see, 
He  called  to  him  out  of  the  midst  of  the  bush,  and  said, 
“Moses,  Moses.” 

And  he  answered,  “Here  I  am.” 

And  He  said,  “Come  not  nigh  hither;  put  off  the 
shoes  from  thy  feet;  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest 
is  holy  ground.”  And  he  said,  “I  am  the  God  of  thy 
father,  the  God  of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the 
God  of  Jacob.” 

Moses  hid  his  face,  for  lie  durst  not  look  at  God. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  him,  “  I  have  seen  the  affliction 
of  My  people  in  Egypt,  and  I  have  heard  their  cry  because 
of  the  rigors  of  them  that  are  over  the  works,  and  I  am 


58 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


come  down  to  deliver  them  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
Egyptians  and  to  bring  them  out  of  that  land  into  a  land 
that  floweth  with  milk  and  honey.6  And  I  will  send  thee 

to  Pharao,  that 
thou  mayest  bring 
forth  My  people, 
the  children  of 
Israel,  out  of 
Egypt.” 

And  Moses  said, 
“Who  am  I  that 
I  should  go  to 
Pharao,  and  should 
bring  forth  the  chil¬ 
dren  of  Israel  out  of 
Egypt.” 

And  He  said  to 
him.  “I  will  be 
with  thee  ;  and  this 
thou  shalt  have  for 
a  sign  that  I  have 
sent  thee:  when 
thou  shalt  have 
brought  my  people 
out  of  Egypt,  thou 
shalt  offer  sacrifice 

to  God  upon  this  mountain.” 

Moses  said  to  God,  ‘‘Lo,  I  shall  go  to  the  children  of 
Israel  and  say  to  them,  ‘The  God  of  your  fathers  hath 
sent  me;’  if  they  should  say  to  me,  ‘What  is  His  name,’ 
what  shall  I  say  to  them?” 


The  Burning  Bush. 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


59 


God  said  to  Moses,  “I  am  who  am.7  Thus  shalt 
thou  say  to  the  children  of  Israel:  He  who  is  hath 
sent  me  to  you.” 

The  Mission  of  Moses  and  Aaron:  And  God 
said  again  to  Moses,  “Thou  shalt  go  in,  thou  and 
the  ancients  of  Israel,  to  the  king  of  Egypt,  and  thou 
shalt  say  to  him,  ‘The  Lord  God  of  the  Hebrews  hath 
called  us:  we  will  go  three  days’  journey  into  the  wilder¬ 
ness  to  sacrifice  unto  the  Lord  our  God.’  But  I  know  that 
the  king  of  Egypt  will  not  let  you  go,  but  by  a  mighty 
hand.  For  I  will  stretch  forth  My  hand,  and  will  strike 
Egypt  with  all  My  wonders  which  I  will  do  in  the  midst 
of  them:  after  these  he  will  let  you  go.” 

Moses  answered  and  said,  “They  will  not  believe  me, 
nor  hear  my  voice;  but  they  will  say,  ‘The  Lord  hath 
not  appeared  to  thee.’ 

Then  He  said  to  him,  “  What  is  that  thou  holdest  in  thy 
hand? ” 

He  answered,  “A  rod.” 

The  Lord  said,  “Cast  it  down  upon  the  ground.”  He 
cast  it  down  upon  the  ground,  and  it  was  turned  into  a 
serpent,  so  that  Moses  fled  from  it. 

And  the  Lord  said,  “Put  out  thy  hand  and  take  it  by 
the  tail.”  He  put  forth  his  hand,  and  took  hold  of  it,  and 
it  was  turned  into  a  rod. 

And  the  Lord  said  again,  “Put  thy  hand  into  thy 
bosom.”  And  when  he  had  put  it  into  his  bosom,  he 
brought  it  forth  leprous  as  snow. 


(>0 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  He  said,  “Put  back  thy  hand  into  thy  bosom/' 
He  put  it  back,  and  brought  it  out  again  and  it  was  like 
the  other  flesh. 

“If  they  will  not  believe  thee,”  said  He,  “nor  hear  the 
voice  of  the  former  sign,  they  will  believe  the  word  of  the 
latter  sign.  But  if  they  will  not  even  believe  these  two 
signs,  nor  hear  thy  voice,  take  of  the  river  water,  and 
pour  it  out  upon  the  dry  land;  and  whatsoever  thou 
drawest  out  of  the  river,  shall  be  turned  into  blood.” 

Moses  said,  “I  beseech  thee,  Lord,  I  am  not  eloquent 
from  yesterday  and  the  day  before;  and  since  Thou  hast 
spoken  to  Thy  servant,  I  have  more  impediment  and 
slowness  of  tongue.” 

The  Lord  said,  “Who  made  man’s  mouth?  Or  who 
made  the  dumb  and  the  deaf,  the  seeing,  and  the  blind? 
Did  not  I?  Go  therefore,  and  I  will  be  in  thy  mouth;  and 
I  will  teach  thee  what  thou  slialt  speak.” 

But  he  said,  “I  beseech  thee,  Lord,  send  whom 
Thou  wilt  send.” 

The  Lord,  being  angry  at  Moses  said,  “Aaron,  the 
Levite  is  thy  brother;  I  know  that  he  is  eloquent:  speak 
to  him,  and  put  my  words  in  his  mouth;  and  I  will  be  in 
thy  mouth,  and  in  his  mouth,  and  will  show  you  what 
you  must  do.  He  shall  speak  in  thy  stead  to  the  people, 
and  shall  be  thy  mouth  but  thou  shalt  be  to  him  in 
those  things  that  pertain  to  God.  And  take  this  rod 
in  thy  hands,  wherewith  thou  shalt  do  the  signs.” 

Bricks  Without  Straw:  After  these  things  Moses 
and  Aaron  went  in  and  said  to  Pharao,  “Thus  saitli  the 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


()1 


Lord  God  of  Israel:  Let  My  people  go  that  they  may 
sacrifice  to  Me  in  the  desert.' ' 

But  he  answered,  44  Who  is  the  Lord,  that  I  should  hear 
His  voice,  and  let  Israel  go?  I  know  not  the  Lord,  neither 
will  I  let  Israel  go.” 

And  they  said,  “The  God  of  the  Hebrews  hath  called 
us  to  go  three  days’ 
journey  into  the 
wilderness  and  to 
sacrifice  to  the 
Lord  our  God,  lest 
a  pestilence  or  the 
sword  fall  upon  us.” 

The  king  of 
Egypt  said  to  them, 

“Why  do  you, 

Moses  and  Aaron, 
draw  off  the  people 
from  their  works  ? 

Get  you  gone  to 
your  burdens.  The 
people  of  the  land  is 
numerous ;  you  see 
that  the  multitude  Moses  and  Aaron  Before  Pharao. 

is  increased;  how  much  more  if  you  give  them  rest  from 
their  works?  ”  Therefore  he  commanded  the  same  day  the 
overseers  of  the  works  and  the  taskmasters  of  the  people 
saying,  44  You  shall  give  straw  no  more  to  the  people  to 
make  brick  as  before;  but  let  them  go  and  gather  straw. 
And  you  shall  lay  upon  them  the  task  of  bricks  which  they 


62 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


did  before;  neither  shall  you  diminish  anything  thereof; 
for  they  are  idle,  and  therefore  they  cry,  saying,  ‘Let  us 
go  and  sacrifice  to  our  God.’  Let  them  be  oppressed  with 
works  and  let  them  fulfill  them,  that  they  may  not  regard 
lying  words.” 

And  the  overseers  of  the  works  and  the  taskmasters 
went  out  and  said  to  the  people,  “Thus  saith  Pharao:  I 
allow  you  no  straw;  go  and  gather  it  where  you  can  find 
it;  neither  shall  anything  of  your  work  be  diminished.” 
And  the  people  was  scattered  through  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  to  gather  straw.  And  the  overseers  of  the  works 
pressed  them  saying,  “Fulfill  your  work  every  day  as 
before  you  were  wont  to  do  when  straw  was  given  you.” 
And  they  that  were  over  the  works  of  the  children  of 
Israel  were  scourged  by  Pharao’s  taskmasters,  saying, 
“Why  have  you  not  made  up  the  task  of  bricks  both 
yesterday  and  today,  as  before?” 

And  the  officers  of  the  children  of  Israel  came  and  cried 
out  to  Pharao,  saying,  “Why  dealest  thou  so  with  thy 
servants?  Straw  is  not  given  us,  and  bricks  are  required 
of  us  as  before.  Behold,  we  thy  servants  are  beaten  with 
whips,  and  thy  people  is  unjustly  dealt  withal.” 

And  he  said,  “You  are  idle,  and  therefore  you  say, 
‘Let  us  go  and  sacrifice  to  the  Lord.’  Go  therefore  and 
work;  straw  shall  not  be  given  you,  and  you  shall  deliver 
the  accustomed  number  of  bricks.” 

Moses  and  Aaron  Before  Pharao  :  And  the 
officers  of  the  children  saw  that  they  were  in  evil  case 
because  it  was  said  to  them:  ‘‘There  shall  not  a  whit 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


63 


be  diminished  of  the  bricks  for  every  day.”  And  meeting 
Moses  and  Aaron,  who  stood  over  against  them  as  they 
came  out  from  Pharao,  they  said  to  them,  “The 
Lord  see  and  judge,  because  you  have  given  to  Pharao 
a  sword  to  kill  us.” 

And  Moses  re¬ 
turned  to  the  Lord 
and  said,  “  Lord, 
why  hast  Thou  af¬ 
flicted  this  people  ? 

Wherefore  hast 
Thou  sent  me?  For 
since  the  time  that 
I  went  in  to  Pharao 
to  speak  in  Thy 
name,  he  hath  af¬ 
flicted  Thy  people, 
and  Thou  hast  not 
delivered  them.” 

And  the  Lord 
said  to  Moses, 

“Now  thou  shaft 

,  ,  x  mi  i  The  Rod  That  Became  a  Serpent. 

see  what  1  will  do 
to  Pharao;  for  by  a  mighty  hand  shall  he  let  them  go,  and 
with  a  strong  hand  shall  he  cast  them  out  of  the  land. 
Go  in  and  speak  to  Pharao,  king  of  Egypt,  that  he  let 
the  children  of  Israel  go  out  of  this  land.  And  then  Pharao 
shall  say  to  you,  ‘Show  signs’;  thou  shalt  say  to  Aaron: 
Take  thy  rod,  and  cast  it  down  before  Pharao;  and  it 
shall  be  turned  into  a  serpent.” 


64 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


So  Moses  and  Aaron  went  in  unto  Pharao,  and  did  as 
the  Lord  commanded.  And  x4aron  took  the  rod  before 
Pharao  and  his  servants,  and  it  was  turned  into  a  serpent. 
And  Pharao  called  the  wise  men  and  the  magicians;  and 
they  also,  by  Egyptian  enchantments  and  certain  secrets, 
did  in  like  manner.  And  then  everyone  cast  down  their 
rods,  and  they  were  turned  into  serpents;  but  Aaron's 
rod  devoured  their  rods.  And  Pharao’s  heart  was  hard¬ 
ened  and  he  did  not  harken  to  them,  as  the  Lord  had 
commanded. 

The  Rivers  Turned  Into  Blood:  And  the  Lord 
said  to  Moses,  “Go  to  Pharao  in  the  morning;  behold, 
he  will  go  out  to  the  waters;  and  thou  shalt  stand  to 
meet  him  on  the  bank  of  the  river;  and  thou  shalt  take 
in  thy  hand  the  rod  that  was  turned  into  a  serpent;  and 
thou  shalt  say  to  him:  The  Lord  God  of  the  Hebrews 
sent  me  to  thee  saying,  4  Let  My  people  go  to  sacrifice  to 
Me  in  the  desert/  And  hitherto,  thou  wouldst  not  hear. 
Thus  therefore  saith  the  Lord:  Tn  this  thou  shalt  know 
that  I  am  the  Lord:  Behold,  I  will  strike  the  water  of 
the  river,  and  it  shall  be  turned  into  blood,  and  the 
fishes  that  are  in  the  river  shall  die,  and  the  waters  shall 
be  corrupted,  and  the  Egyptians  shall  be  afflicted  when 
they  drink  the  water  of  the  river. 5  ” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Say  to  Aaron,  ‘Take 
thy  rod,  and  stretch  forth  thy  hand  upon  the  waters  of 
Egypt,  and  upon  their  rivers  and  streams  and  pools,  and 
all  the  ponds  of  waters,  that  they  may  be  turned  into 
blood;  and  let  blood  be  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  in 
vessels  of  wood  and  of  stone.’ 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


65 


And  Moses  and  Aaron  did  as  the  Lord  commanded. 
And  lifting  up  the  rod  he  struck  the  water  of  the  river 
before  Pharao  and  his  servants;  and  it  was  turned  into 
blood.  And  the  fishes  that  were  in  the  river  died,  and 
the  river  corrupted,  and  the  Egyptians  could  not  drink 
the  water  of  the  river;  and  there  was  blood  in  all  the  land 
of  Egypt.  And  the  magicians  of  the  Egyptians,  with 
their  enchantments,  did  in  like  manner.  And  Pharao’s 
heart  was  hardened;  neither  did  he  hear  them,  as  the 
Lord  had  commanded. 

The  Frogs  That  Covered  the  Whole  Land:  And 
the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Go  in  to  Pharao,  and  thou  shalt 
say  to  him :  Thus  saith  the  Lord :  ‘  Let  My  people  go  to 
sacrifice  to  Me;  but  if  thou  wilt  not  let  them  go,  behold 
I  will  strike  all  thy  coasts  with  frogs;  and  the  river  shall 
bring  forth  an  abundance  of  frogs,  which  shall  come  up 
and  enter  into  thy  house  and  thy  bed-chamber,  and  upon 
thy  bed,  and  into  the  houses  of  thy  servants,  and  to  thy 
people,  and  into  thy  ovens,  and  into  the  remains  of  thy 
meats.’  ” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Say  to  Aaron:  Stretch 
forth  thy  hand  upon  the  streams  and  upon  the  rivers 
and  the  pools,  and  bring  forth  frogs  upon  the  land  of 
Egypt.” 

And  Aaron  stretched  forth  his  hand  upon  the  waters 
of  Egypt,  and  the  frogs  came  up  and  covered  the  land  of 
Egypt.  And  the  magicians  also,  by  their  enchantments, 
did  in  like  manner;  and  they  brought  forth  frogs  upon 
the  land  of  Egypt. 


66 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


But  Pharao  called  Moses  and  Aaron  and  said  to  them, 
“Pray  ye  to  the  Lord  to  take  away  the  frogs  from  me, 
and  from  my  people,  and  I  will  let  you  go  to  sacrifice 
to  the  Lord.” 

And  Moses  said  to  Pharao,  “Set  me  a  time  when  I 

shall  pray  for  thee, 
and  for  thy  ser¬ 
vants,  and  for  thy 
people,  that  the 
frogs  may  be  driven 
away  from  thee  and 
from  thy  house,  and 
from  thy  servants 
and  from  thy  peo¬ 
ple;  and  may  re¬ 
main  only  in  the 

•  >> 
river. 

And  he  answered, 
“Tomorrow.” 

And  he  said,  “I 
will  do  according  to 
thy  word,  that  thou 
mayest  know  that 
The  Plague  of  Frogs.  there  is  none  like  to 

the  Lord  our  God.  And  the  frogs  shall  depart  from  thee, 
and  from  thy  house,  and  from  thy  servants  and  from  thy 
people,  and  shall  remain  only  in  the  river.” 

And  Moses  and  Aaron  went  forth  from  Pharao;  and 
he  cried  to  the  Lord  for  the  promises  which  he  had  made 
to  Pharao  concerning  the  frogs.  And  the  Lord  did 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


67 


according  to  the  word  of  Moses:  and  the  frogs  died  out 
of  the  houses,  and  out  of  the  villages  and  out  of  the 
fields.  And  they  gathered  them  together  into  immense 
heaps;  and  the  land  was  corrupted. 

And  Pharao,  seeing  that  rest  was  given,  hardened  his 
own  heart,  and  did  not  hear  them  as  the  Lord  had  com¬ 
manded. 

The  Sciniphs:  And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Say  to 
Aaron:  Stretch  forth  thy  rod,  and  strike  the  dust  of  the 
earth;  and  may  there  be  sciniphs8  in  all  the  land  of 
Egypt.” 

And  they  did  so;  and  there  came  sciniphs  on  men 
and  on  beasts:  all  the  dust  of  the  earth  was  turned  into 
sciniphs  through  all  the  land  of  Egypt. 

And  the  magicians,  with  their  enchantments,  prac¬ 
tised  in  like  manner,  to  bring  forth  sciniphs;  and  they 
could  not.  And  the  magicians  said  to  Pharao,  “This  is 
the  finger  of  God/’ 

And  Pharao’ s  heart  was  hardened,  and  he  hearkened 
not  unto  them  as  the  Lord  had  commanded. 

$ 

The  Swarm  of  Flies:  The  Lord  also  said  to  Moses, 
“Arise  early  and  stand  before  Pharao;  for  he  will  go 
forth  to  the  waters;  and  thou  shalt  say  to  him,  “Thus 
saith  the  Lord:  ‘Let  My  people  go  to  sacrifice  to  Me;  but 
if  thou  wilt  not  let  them  go,  behold  I  will  send  in  upon 
thee  and  upon  thy  servants  and  upon  thy  houses,  all 
kinds  of  flies;  and  the  houses  of  the  Egyptians  shall  be 
filled  with  flies  of  divers  kinds,  and  the  whole  land  wherein 


68 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


they  shall  be;  and  I  will  make  the  land  of  Gessen,  wherein 
My  people  is,  wonderful  in  that  day,  so  that  flies  shall  not 
be  there:  and  thou  shalt  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  in  the 
midst  of  the  earth/  ” 

And  the  Lord  did  so;  and  there  came  a  very  grievous 
swarm  of  flies  into  the  houses  of  Pharao  and  of  his  servants 
and  into  all  the  land  of  Egypt:  and  the  land  was  cor¬ 
rupted  by  this  kind  of  flies. 

And  Pharao  called  Moses  and  Aaron,  and  said  to  them, 
“Go  and  sacrifice  to  your  God  in  this  land.” 

And  Moses  said,  “It  cannot  be  so,  for  we  shall  sacrifice 
the  abominations  of  the  Egyptians9  to  the  Lord  our  God; 
now  if  we  kill  those  things  which  the  Egyptians  worship, 
in  their  presence,  they  will  stone  us.  We  will  go  three 
days’  journey  into  the  wilderness,  and  we  will  sacrifice  to 
the  Lord  our  God  as  He  hath  commanded  us.” 

And  Pharao  said,  “I  will  let  you  go  to  sacrifice  to  the 
Lord  your  God  in  the  wilderness;  but  go  no  farther; 
pray  for  me.” 

And  Moses  said,  “I  will  go  out  from  thee,  and  will 
pray  to  the  Lord,  and  the  flies  shall  depart  from  Pharao, 
and  from  his  servants,  and  from  his  people,  tomorrow. 
But  do  not  deceive  any  more,  in  not  letting  the  people 
go  to  sacrifice  to  the  Lord.” 

So  Moses  went  out  from  Pharao,  and  prayed  to  the 
Lord.  And  he  did  according  to  his  word;  and  he  took 
away  the  flies  from  Pharao  and  from  his  servants  and 
from  his  people,  and  there  was  not  left  so  much  as  one. 

And  Pharao’s  heart  was  hardened,  so  that  neither 
this  time  would  he  let  them  go. 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


69 


The  Very  Grievous  Murrain:  And  the  Lord  said 
to  Moses,  44 Go  into  Pharao,  and  say  to  him,  ‘Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God  of  the  Hebrews;  Let  My  people  go  to 
sacrifice  to  Me,  but  if  thou  refuse,  and  withhold  them 
still,  behold  My  hand  shall  be  upon  thy  fields,  and  a  very 
grievous  murrain10  upon  thy  horses  and  asses  and  camels 
and  oxen  and  sheep:  ’  and  the  Lord  will  make  a  wonderful 
difference  between  the  possessions  of  Israel  and  the 
possessions  of  the  Egyptians,  that  nothing  at  all  shall  die 
of  those  things  that  belong  to  children  of  Israel.” 

The  Lord  therefore  did  this  thing  the  next  day;  and 
all  the  beasts  of  the  Egyptians  died;  but  of  the  beasts 
of  the  children  of  Israel  there  died  not  one. 

And  Pharao  sent  to  see;  and  there  was  not  anything 
dead  of  that  which  Israel  possessed.  And  Pharao’s 
heart  was  hardened  and  he  did  not  let  the  people  go. 

The  Boils  and  Swelling  Blains:  And  the  Lord 
said  to  Moses  and  Aaron,  44  Take  to  you  handfuls  of  ashes 
out  of  the  chimney,  and  let  Moses  sprinkle  it  in  the  air 
in  the  presence  of  Pharao;  and  there  be  dust  upon  all  the 
land  of  Egypt;  for  there  shall  be  boils  and  swelling  blains11 
both  in  men  and  beasts,  in  the  whole  land  of  Egypt.” 

And  they  took  ashes  out  of  the  chimney,  and  stood 
before  Pharao;  and  Moses  sprinkled  it  in  the  air;  and 
there  came  boils  with  swelling  blains  in  men  and  beasts. 

And  the  Lord  hardened  Pharao’s  heart;12  and  he 
harkened  not  unto  them,  as  the  Lord  had  spoken  to 
Moses. 


70 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


The  Thunder  and  Hail  Mixed  With  Fire:  And 
the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Stretch  forth  thy  hand  towards 
heaven,  that  there  may  be  hail  in  the  whole  land  of 
Egypt,  upon  men  and  upon  beasts,  and  upon  every  herb 
of  the  field  in  the  land  of  Egypt.” 

And  Moses  stretched  forth  his  rod  towards  heaven; 
and  the  Lord  sent  thunder  and  hail  and  lightning,  running 
along  the  ground :  and  the  Lord  rained  hail  upon  the  land 
of  Egypt.  And  the  hail,  and  fire,  mixed  with  it,  drove  on 
together;  and  it  was  of  so  great  bigness,  as  never  before 
was  seen  in  the  whole  land  of  Egypt  since  that  nation  was 
founded.  And  the  hail  destroyed  through  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  all  things  that  were  in  the  fields,  both  man  and 
beast;  and  the  hail  smote  every  herb  of  the  field;  and 
it  broke  every  tree  of  the  country;  only,  in  the  land  of 
Gessen,  where  the  children  of  Israel  were,  the  hail  fell 
not. 

And  Pharao  sent  and  called  Moses  and  Aaron,  saying 
to  them,  “I  have  sinned  this  time  also;  the  Lord  is  just; 
I  and  my  people  are  wicked.  Pray  ye  to  the  Lord  that 
the  thunderings  of  God  and  the  hail  may  cease;  that  I 
may  let  you  go,  and  that  you  may  stay  here  no  longer.” 

Moses  said,  “As  soon  as  I  am  gone  out  of  the  city, 
I  will  stretch  forth  my  hands  to  the  Lord,  and  the  thun¬ 
ders  shall  cease  and  the  hail  shall  be  no  more ;  that  thou 
mayest  know  that  the  earth  is  the  Lord’s.  But  I  know 
that  neither  thou  nor  thy  servants  do  yet  fear  the  Lord 
God.” 

And  when  Moses  was  gone  from  Pharao  out  of  the  city, 
he  stretched  forth  his  hands  to  the  Lord,  and  the  thunders 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


71 


and  the  hail  ceased;  neither  did  there  drop  any  more 
rain  upon  the  earth. 

And  Pharao  seeing  that  the  rain  and  the  hail  and  the 
thunders  were  ceased,  increased  his  sin;  and  his  heart 
was  hardened,  and  the  heart  of  his  servants;  and  it  was 
made  exceeding  hard.  Neither  did  he  let  the  children 
of  Israel  go,  as  the  Lord  had  commanded,  by  the  hand  of 
Moses. 

The  Locusts  That  Wasted  all  Things:  And  the 
Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Stretch  forth  thy  hand  upon  the 
land  of  Egypt  unto  the  locust,  that  it  come  upon  it  and 
devour  every  herb  that  is  left  after  the  hail.” 

And  Moses  stretched  forth  his  rod  upon  the  land  of 
Egypt;  and  the  Lord  brought  a  burning  wind  all  that 
day  and  night;  and  when  it  was  morning,  the  burning 
wind  brought  the  locusts;13  and  they  came  up  over  the 
whole  land  of  Egypt,  and  rested  in  all  the  coasts  of  the 
Egyptians,  innumerable,  the  like  as  had  not  been  before 
that  time,  nor  shall  be  hereafter.  And  they  covered  the 
whole  face  of  the  earth,  wasting  all  things,  And  the 
grass  of  the  earth  was  devoured,  and  what  fruits  soever 
were  on  the  trees,  which  the  hail  had  left;  and  there  re¬ 
mained  not  anything  that  was  green  on  the  trees,  or  in 
the  herbs  of  the  earth  in  all  Egypt. 

Wherefore  Pharao  in  haste  called  Moses  and  Aaron, 
and  said  to  them,  “I  have  sinned  against  the  Lord  your 
God,  and  against  you;  but  now  forgive  me  my  sin  this 
time  also,  and  pray  to  the  Lord  your  God  that  He  take 
away  from  me  this  death.” 


72 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Moses  going  forth  from  the  presence  of  Pharao? 
prayed  to  the  Lord.  And  He  made  a  very  strong  wind  to 
blow  from  the  west;  and  it  took  the  locusts  and  cast  them 
into  the  Red  Sea:  there  remained  not  so  much  as  one  in 
all  the  coasts  of  Egypt. 

And  the  Lord  hardened  Pharao’s  heart;  neither 
would  he  let  the  children  of  Israel  go. 

The  Darkness  That  Could  be  Felt:  And  the  Lord 
said  to  Moses,  “Stretch  out  thy  hand  towards  heaven; 
and  may  there  be  darkness  upon  the  land  of  Egypt,  so 
thick  that  it  may  be  felt.” 

And  Moses  stretched  forth  his  hand  towards  heaven, 
and  there  came  horrible  darkness  in  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  for  three  days.  No  man  saw  his  brother,  nor 
moved  himself  out  of  the  place  where  he  was.  But 
wheresoever  the  children  of  Israel  dwelt,  there  was  light. 

And  Pharao  called  Moses  and  Aaron  and  said  to 
them,  “Go  sacrifice  to  the  Lord;  let  your  sheep  only 
and  herds  remain;  let  your  children  go  with  you.” 

Moses  said,  “All  the  flocks  shall  go  with  us;  there 
shall  not  a  hoof  remain  of  them,  for  they  are  necessary 
for  the  service  of  the  Lord  our  God;  especially  as  we 
know  not  what  must  be  offered,  till  we  come  to  the  very 
place.” 

And  the  Lord  hardened  Pharao’s  heart,  and  he  would 
not  let  them  go. 

And  Pharao  said  to  Moses,  “Get  thee  from  me,  and 
beware  thou  see  not  my  face  any  more;  in  what  day 
soever  thou  shalt  come  in  my  sight,  thou  shalt  die.” 


73 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 

Moses  answered,  “So  shall  it  be  as  thou  hast  spoken; 
I  will  not  see  thy  face  any  more/’ 

The  Death  of  the  First  Born:  And  the  Lord  said 
to  Moses  and  Aaron,  “This  month  shall  be  to  you  the 
beginning  of  months :  it  shall  be  first  in  the  months  of  the 
year.  Speak  ye  to  the  whole  assembly  of  the  children  of 
Israel,  and  say  to  them:  'On  the  tenth  day  of  this  month 
let  every  man  take  a  lamb  by  their  families  and  houses. 
But  if  the  number  be  less  than  may  suffice  to  eat  the 
lamb,  he  shall  take  unto  him  his  neighbor  that  joineth 
to  his  house,  according  to  the  number  of  souls  which 
may  be  enough  to  eat  the  lamb.  And  it  shall  be  a  lamb 
without  blemish,  a  male  of  one  year:  according  to  which 
rite  also  you  shall  take  a  kid.  And  keep  you  it  until  the 
fourteenth  day  of  this  month;  and  the  whole  multitude 
of  the  children  of  Israel  shall  sacrifice  it  in  the  evening. 
And  they  shall  take  of  the  blood  thereof,  and  put  it  upon 
both  the  side  posts,  and  on  the  upper  door-posts  of  the 
houses,  wherein  they  shall  eat  it.  And  they  shall  eat  the 
flesh  that  night,  roasted  at  the  fire;  and  unleavened 
bread,14  with  wild  lettuce.15  You  shall  not  eat  thereof 
anything  raw,  nor  boiled  in  water,  but  only  roasted  at 
the  fire;  you  shall  eat  the  head  with  the  feet  and  entrails 
thereof.  Neither  shall  there  remain  anything  of  it  until 
morning.  If  there  be  anything  left,  you  shall  burn  it 
with  fire.  And  thus  you  shall  eat  it:  you  shall  gird  your 
reins,  and  you  shall  have  shoes  on  your  feet,  holding 
staves  in  your  hands;  and  you  shall  eat  in  haste:  for  it 
is  the  Passover  of  the  Lord.  And  I  will  pass  through  the 


74 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


land  of  Egypt  that  night,  and  will  kill  every  first-born 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  man  and  beast:  and  against 
all  the  gods  of  Egypt  I  will  execute  judgment:  I  am  the 
Lord.  And  the  blood  shall  be  unto  you  for  a  sign,  in  the 
houses  where  you  shall  be:  and  I  shall  see  the  blood,  and 

shall  pass  over  you ; 
and  the  plague  shall 
not  be  up  on  you  to 
destroy  you,  when  I 
shall  strike  the  land 
of  Egypt.  And  this 
day  shall  be  for  a 
memorial16  to  you: 
and  you  shall  keep 
it  a  feast  to  the 
Lord  in  your  gen¬ 
erations  with  an 
everlasting  observ- 
ance. 

And  Moses  called 
all  the  ancients  of 
the  children  of 
Israel,  and  said  to 
them,  Go  take  a 
lamb  by  your  families,  and  sacrifice  the  Passover.  And  dip 
a  bunch  of  hyssop  in  the  blood  that  is  at  the  door,  and 
sprinkle  the  transom  of  the  door  therewith,  and  both  the 
door  cheeks:  let  none  of  you  go  out  of  the  door  of  his 
house  till  morning.  For  the  Lord  will  pass  through 
striking  the  Egyptians :  and  when  He  shall  see  the  blood 


The  Pasch. 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


75 


on  the  transom,  and  on  both  the  posts,  He  will  pass  over 
the  door  of  the  house,  and  not  suffer  the  destroyer  to 
come  into  your  houses  and  to  hurt  you/ 

And  the  children  of  Israel  going  forth  did  as  the 
Lord  had  commanded  Moses  and  Aaron.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  at  mid¬ 
night,  the  Lord 
slew  every  first¬ 
born  in  the  land  of 
Egypt,  from  the 
first-born  of  Pharao, 

who  sat  on  his 

# 

throne,  unto  the 
first  -born  of  the 
captive  woman  that 
was  in  the  prison, 
and  all  the  first¬ 
born  of  cattle. 

And  P  h  a  rao 
arose  in  the  night, 
and  all  his  ser¬ 
vants,  and  all 
Egypt;  and  there 
arose  a  great  cry  in 
Egypt:  for  there  was  not  a  house  wherein  there  lay  not 
one  dead.  And  Pharao  calling  Moses  and  Aaron  in  the 
night,  said,  44  Arise  and  go  forth  from  among  my  people, 
you  and  the  children  of  Israel;  go,  sacrifice  to  the  Lord 
as  you  say.  Your  sheep  and  herds  take  along  with  you, 
as  you  demanded,  and  departing,  bless  me.”  And  the 


76 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Egyptians  pressed  the  people  to  go  forth  out  of  the  land 
speedily,  saying,  We  shall  all  die.” 

And  the  people  therefore  took  dough  before  it  was 
leavened:  and  tying  it  in  their  cloaks,  put  it  on  their 

shoulders.  And  they  did  as  Moses  had  commanded :  and 
they  asked  of  the  Egyptians  vessels  of  silver  and  gold, 
and  very  much  raiment.  And  the  Lord  gave  favor  to 
the  people  in  the  sight  of  the  Egyptians,  so  that  they  lent 
unto  them:  and  they  stripped  the  Egyptians.  And  the 
Lord  went  before  them  to  shew  the  way,  by  day,  in  a 
pillar  of  a  cloud,  and  by  night,  in  a  pillar  of  fire:17  that 
He  might  be  the  guide  of  their  journey  at  both  times. 

The  Passage  of  the  Red  Sea:  And  the  Lord  hard¬ 
ened  the  heart  of  Pharao,  king  of  Egypt,  and  he  pursued 
the  children  of  Israel.  And  when  the  Egyptians  followed 
the  steps  of  them  who  were  gone  before,  th,ey  found  them 
encamped  at  the  sea  side.  And  when  Pharao  drew  near, 
the  children  of  Israel,  lifting  up  their  eyes,  saw  the 
Egyptians  behind  them:  and  they  feared  exceedingly, 
and  cried  to  the  Lord.  And  they  said  to  Moses,  “Per¬ 
haps  there  were  no  graves  in  Egypt,  therefore  thou  hast 
brought  us  to  die  in  the  wilderness.” 

And  Moses  said  to  the  people,  “Fear  not:  stand  and 
see  the  great  wonders  of  the  Lord,  which  He  will  do  this 
day :  for  the  Egyptians,  whom  you  see  now,  you  shall  see 
no  more  forever.  The  Lord  will  fight  for  you,  and  you  shall 
hold  your  peace.” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Why  criest  thou  to 
Me?  Speak  to  the  children  of  Israel  to  go  forward.  But 


MOSES  AND  THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


77 


lift  thou  up  thy  rod,  and  stretch  forth  thy  hand  over  the 
sea,  and  divide  it;  that  the  children  of  Israel  may  go 
through  the  midst  of  the  sea  on  dry  ground.  And  I  will 
harden  the  heart  of  the  Egyptians  to  pursue  you:  and 
I  will  be  glorified  in  Pharao,  and  in  all  his  host,  and  in 
his  chariots  and  in  his  horsemen.  And  the  Egyptians 
shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord.” 

And  the  angel  of  God  who  went  before  the  camp  of 
Israel,  removing,  went  behind  them:  and,  together  with 
him,  the  pillar  of  the  cloud,  leaving  the  fore  part,  stood 
behind,  between  the  Egyptians’  camp  and  the  camp  of 
Israel:  and  it  was  a  dark  cloud  for  them,  but  enlightened 
the  night  for  these,  so  that  they  could  not  come  at  one 
another  all  the  night.  And  when  Moses  stretched  forth 
his  hand  over  the  sea,  the  Lord  took  it  away  by  a  strong 
and  burning  wind  blowing  all  the  night,  and  turned  it 
into  dry  ground:  and  the  water  was  divided.  And  the 
children  of  Israel  went  in  through  the  midst  of  the  sea 
dried  up:  for  the  water  was  as  a  wall  on  their  right  hand 
and  on  their  left.  And  the  Egyptians,  pursuing,  went 
in  after  them;  and  all  Pharao’s  horses,  his  chariots  and 
horsemen,  through  the  midst  of  the  sea.  And  now  the 
morning  watch  was  come,  and  behold,  the  Lord,  looking 
upon  the  Egyptian  army  through  the  pillar  of  fire  and  of 
the  cloud,  slew  their  host,  and  overthrew  the  wheels  of  the 
chariots;  and  they  were  carried  into  the  deep.  And  the 
Egyptians  said,  “Let  us  flee  from  Israel:  for  the  Lord 
fighteth  for  them  against  us.” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Stretch  forth  thy  hand 
over  the  sea,  that  the  waters  may  come  again  upon  the 
Egyptians;  upon  their  chariots  and  horsemen.” 


78 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  when  Moses  had  stretched  forth  his  hand  towards 
the  sea,  it  returned  at  the  first  break  of  day  to  the  former 
place.  And  as  the  Egyptians  were  fleeing  away,  the 
waters  came  upon  them,  and  the  Lord  shut  them  up  in  the 
middle  of  the  waves.  And  the  waters  returned,  and 
covered  the  chariots  and  the  horsemen  of  all  the  army  of 
Pharao,  who  had  come  into  the  sea  after  them,  neither 
did  there  so  much  as  one  of  them  remain. 

And  the  Lord  delivered  Israel  on  that  day  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  Egyptians.  And  they  saw  the  Egyptians 
dead  upon  the  sea  shore,  and  the  mighty  hand  that  the 
Lord  had  used  against  them;  and  the  people  feared  the 
Lord;  and  they  believed  the  Lord,  and  Moses,  His 
servant. 


V. 


THE  EXODUS. 

How  Bitter  Waters  Were  Made  Sweet:  And 
Moses  brought  Israel  from  the  Red  Sea;  and  they  went 
forth  into  the  wilderness1  of  Sur;  and  they  marched  three 
days  through  the  wilderness  and  found  no  water.  And 
they  came  into  Mara;  and  they  could  not  drink  the 
waters  of  Mara,  because  they  were  bitter;  whereupon 
he  gave  a  name  also  agreeable  to  the  place,  calling  it 
Mara,  that  is,  bitterness. 

And  the  people  murmured  against  Moses,  saying, 
“What  shall  we  drink? ”  But  he  cried  to  the  Lord.  And 
He  showed  him  a  tree,  which,  when  he  cast  into  the 
waters,  they  were  turned  into  sweetness.2 

The  Giving  of  the  Commandments:  In  the  third 
month  of  the  departure  of  Israel  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt 
they  came  into  the  wilderness  of  Sinai,  and  there  Israel 
pitched  their  tents  over  against  the  mountain.3  And 
Moses  went  up  to  God. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Go  to  the  people  and 
sanctify  them  today  and  tomorrow,  and  let  them  wash 
their  garments;  and  let  them  be  ready  against  the  third 
day;  for  on  the  third  day  the  Lord  will  come  down  in 
the  sight  of  all  the  people  upon  Mount  Sinai.” 

And  Moses  came  down  the  Mount  to  the  people,  and 
sanctified  them.  And  when  they  had  washed  their 


80 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


garments,  he  said  to  them,  “Be  ready  against  the  third 
day.” 

And  now  the  third  day  was  come,  and  the  morning 
appeared:  and  behold  thunders  began  to  be  heard,  and 
lightning  to  flash,  and  a  very  thick  cloud  to  cover  the 
mount,  and  the  noise  of  the  trumpet  sounded  exceeding 
loud,  and  the  people  that  was  in  the  camp  feared.  And 
when  Moses  had  brought  them  forth  to  meet  God  from  the 
place  of  the  camp,  they  stood  at  the  bottom  of  the  mount. 
And  all  Mount  Sinai  was  on  a  smoke,  because  the  Lord  was 
come  down  upon  it  in  fire,  and  the  smoke  arose  from  it 
as  out  of  a  furnace :  and  all  the  Mount  was  terrible.  And 
the  sound  of  the  trumpet  grew  by  degrees  louder  and 
louder,  and  was  drawn  out  to  a  greater  length:4  Moses 
spoke  and  God  answered  him. 

And  the  Lord  spoke  all  these  words  :5 

“I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  brought  thee  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage.  Thou 
shalt  not  have  strange  gods  before  Me.  Thou  shalt  not 
make  to  thyself  a  graven  thing,  nor  the  likeness  of  any 
thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  in  the  earth  beneath, 
nor  of  those  things  that  are  in  the  waters  under  the  earth. 
I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  mighty,  jealous,  visiting  the 
iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children,  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  Me;  and  showing 
mercy  unto  thousands  to  them  that  love  Me,  and  keep  My 
commandments . 

“  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God 
in  vain;  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that 
shall  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  his  God  in  vain. 


THE  EXODUS 


81 


“Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day. 
Six  days  shalt  thou  labor  and  shalt  do  all  thy  works,  but 
on  the  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord,  thy  God : 
thou  shalt  do  no  work  on  it,  thou  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy 
daughter,  nor  thy  man-servant,  not  thy  maid-servant, 
nor  thy  beast,  nor  the  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates. 
For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  and  the 
sea,  and  all  things  that  are  in  them,  and  rested  on  the 
seventh  day:  therefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  seventh  day 
and  sanctified  it. 

“Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thou  mayest 
be  long  lived  upon  the  land,  which  the  Lord  thy  God  will 
give  thee. 

“Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

“Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

“Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

“Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neigh¬ 
bor. 

“Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor’s  house:  neither 
shalt  thou  desire  his  wife,  nor  his  servant,  nor  his  hand¬ 
maid,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  anything  that  is  his.” 

So  Moses  came  and  told  the  people  all  the  words  of 
the  Lord,  and  all  the  judgments:  and  all  the  people 
answered  with  one  voice:  “We  will  do  all  the  words  of 
the  Lord  which  He  hath  spoken.” 

The  Tables  of  the  Law:  And  the  Lord  said  to 
Moses,  “Come  up  to  me  into  the  mount,  and  be  there, 
and  I  will  give  thee  tables  of  stone,  and  the  law,  and  the 
commandments  which  I  have  written,  that  thou  mayest 
teach  them.” 


82 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Moses  rose  up,  and  his  minister  Josue.  And  Moses 
going  up  into  the  Mount  of  God,  said  to  the  ancients, 
“Wait  ye  here  till  we  return  to  you.  You  have  Aaron 
and  Hur  with  you;  if  any  question  shall  arise  you  shall 
refer  it  to  them.” 

And  when  Moses  was  gone  up,  a  cloud  covered  the 

mount  ;  and  the 
glory  of  the  Lord 
dwelt  upon  Sinai, 
covering  it  with  a 
cloud  six  days;  and 
the  seventh  day  He 
called  him  out  of 
the  cloud.  And  the 
sight  of  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  was 
like  a  burning  fire 
upon  the  top  of  the 
mount,  in  the  eyes 
of  the  children  of 
Israel.  And  Moses 
entering  into  the 
midst  of  the  cloud, 
went  up  into  the 
mountain ;  and  he 
was  there  forty  days  and  forty  nights. 

And  the  Lord  gave  to  Moses  two  stone-tables6  of 
testimony,  written  with  the  finger  of  God.  And  Moses 
returned  from  the  mount,  carrying  the  two  tables  of 
testimony  in  his  hand,  written  on  both  sides,  and  made 


The  Tables  of  Stone. 


THE  EXODUS 


83 


by  the  work  of  God:  the  writing  also  of  God  was  graven 
in  the  tables. 

4  - 

The  Tabernacle  in  the  Wilderness:  And  all  the 
multitude  of  the  children  of  Israel  offered  first-fruits7  to 
the  Lord  with  a  most  ready  and  devout  mind,  to  make 
the  work  of  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Testimony.8  And 
Moses  reared  it  up.9  And  on  the  day  that  the  Tabernacle 
was  reared  up  a  cloud  covered  it;  but  from  the  evening, 
there  was'  over  the  Tabernacle,  as  it  were  the  appearance 
of  fire,  until  morning.  So  it  was  always;  by  day  the 
cloud  covered  it,  and  by  night,  as  it  were  the  appearance 
of  fire.  And  when  the  cloud  that  covered  the  Tabernacle 
was  taken  up,  then  the  children  of  Israel  marched  for¬ 
ward;  and  in  the  place  where  the  cloud  stood  still,  there 
they  camped.  If  the  cloud  tarried  from  evening  until 
morning,  and  immediately  at  break  of  day  left  the 
Tabernacle,  they  marched  forward;  but  if  it  remained 
over  the  Tabernacle  for  two  days,  or  a  month,  or  a  longer 
time,  the  children  of  Israel  remained  in  the  same  place 
and  marched  not:  but  immediately  as  soon  as  it  departed 
they  removed  the  camp. 

Moses  also  taking  the  Tabernacle,  pitched  it  without 
the  camp,  afar  off,  and  called  the  name  thereof,  “The 
Tabernacle  of  the  Covenant.”  And  all  the  people  that 
had  any  question,  went  forth  to  the  Tabernacle  of  the 
Covenant  without  the  camp.  And  when  Moses  went 
forth  to  the  Tabernacle,  all  the  people  rose  up,  and  every 
one  stood  in  the  door  of  his  tent,  and  they  beheld  the 
back  of  Moses,  till  he  went  into  the  Tabernacle.  And 


84 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


when  he  was  gone  into  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Covenant, 
the  pillar  of  cloud  came  down  and  stood  at  the  door,  and 
He  spoke  with  Moses.  And  all  saw  that  the  pillar  of 
cloud  stood  at  the  door  of  the  Tabernacle.  And  they 
stood  and  worshipped  at  the  doors  of  their  tents.  And 
the  Lord  spoke  to  Moses  face  to  face,  as  a  man  is  wont 
to  speak  to  his  friend.  And  when  he  returned  into  the 
camp,  his  servant,  Josue,  the  son  of  Nun,  a  young  man, 
departed  not  from  the  Tabernacle. 

The  Manna:  In  the  second  year,  in  the  second 
month,  the  twentieth  day  of  the  month,  the  cloud  was 
taken  up  from  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Covenant,  and  the 
children  of  Israel  marched  by  their  troops  from  the  desert 
of  Sinai,  and  the  cloud  rested  in  the  wilderness  of  Pharan. 

And  all  the  children  of  Israel  murmured  against 
Moses  and  Aaron  in  the  wilderness,  saying,  “Would  to 
God  we  had  died  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of 
Egypt,  when  we  sat  over  the  flesh  pots,  and  ate  bread  to 
the  full.  Why  have  you  brought  us  into  this  desert  that 
you  might  destroy  all  the  multitude  with  famine?” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Behold  I  will  rain  bread 
from  heaven  for  you;  let  the  people  go  forth,  and 
gather  what  is  sufficient  for  every  day,  that  I  may  prove 
them,  whether  they  will  walk  in  My  law,  or  no.” 

And  Moses  said  to  Aaron,  “Say  to  the  whole  con¬ 
gregation  of  the  children  of  Israel;  'come  before  the 
Lord,  for  He  hath  heard  your  murmurings.’  ”  And 
when  Aaron  spoke  to  all  the  assembly  of  the  children  of 
Israel  they  looked  towards  the  wilderness,  and  behold,  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  a  cloud. 


THE  EXODUS 


85 


And  the  Lord  spoke  to  Moses  saying,  “I  have  heard 
the  murmuring  of  the  children  of  Israel,  say  to  them,  4  In 
the  morning  you 
shall  have  your  fill 
of  bread;  and  you 
shall  know  that  I 
am  the  Lord  your 
God.5  55 

So  it  came  to 
pass  in  the  morning, 
a  dew  lay  round 
about  the  camp. 

And  when  it  had 
covered  the  face  of 
the  earth,  it  ap¬ 
peared  in  the  wild¬ 
erness  small,  and  as 
it  were  beaten  with 
a  pestle,  like  unto 
the  hoar  -  frost  on 
the  ground.  And 
when  the  children 

of  Israel  saw  it, 
they  said  one  to  Gathering  the  Manna. 

another,  “Manhu!”  which  signifieth,  “What  is  it,55  for 
they  knew  not  what  it  was. 

And  Moses  said  to  them,  “This  is  the  bread  which  the 
Lord  hath  given  you  to  eat.  And  this  is  the  word  that 
the  Lord  hath  commanded:  Let  every  one  gather  of  it 
as  much  as  is  enough  to  eat,  a  gomor10  for  every  man; 


86 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


according  to  the  number  of  your  souls  that  dwell  in  a 
tent,  so  shall  you  take  it.” 

And  the  children  of  Israel  did  so;  and  they  gathered, 
one  more,  another  less.  And  they  measured  by  the 
measure  of  a  gomor:  neither  had  he  more  that  had 
gathered  more:  nor  did  he  find  less  that  had  provided 
less;  but  every  one  had  gathered,  according  to  what  they 
were  able  to  eat. 

And  Moses  said  to  them,  Let  no  man  leave  thereof 
till  the  morning.”  And  they  hearkened  not  to  him,  but 
some  of  them  left  until  the  morning,  and  it  began  to  be 
full  of  worms,  and  it  putrified,  and  Moses  was  angry  with 
them.  But  on  the  sixth  day  they  gathered  twice  as  much, 
that  is,  two  gomors  every  man;  and  it  did  not  putrify, 
neither  was  there  a  worm  found  in  it. 

And  Moses  said,  “  Eat  today,  because  it  is  the  Sabbath 
of  the  Lord:  today  it  shall  not  be  found  in  the  field. 
Gather  it  six  days,  but  on  the  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath 
of  the  Lord;  therefore  it  shall  not  be  found.”  And  the 
seventh  day  came,  and  some  of  the  people  going  forth 
to  gather,  found  none. 

And  the  house  of  Israel  called  the  name  thereof 
“Manna;”11  and  it  was  like  coriander  seed,  white,  and 
the  taste  thereof,  like  to  flour  with  honey.  And  the 
children  of  Israel  ate  Manna  forty  years,  till  they  came  to 
a  habitable  land:  with  this  meat  were  they  fed  until  they 
reached  the  borders  of  the  land  of  Chanaan.12 

The  Rock  That  Gave  Forth  a  Stream  of  Water: 
And  there  was  no  water  for  the  people  to  drink.  And  the 


THE  EXODUS 


87 


people,  wanting  water,  came  together  against  Moses  and 
Aaron,  and  making  a  sedition,  they  said,  “Would  God 
we  had  perished  among  our  brethren  before  the  Lord. 
Why  have  you  brought  out  the  congregation  of  the  Lord 
into  the  wilderness,  that  both  we  and  our  cattle  should 
die?  Why  have  you  made  us  come  up  out  of  Egypt,  and 
have  brought  us  into  this  wretched  place  which  cannot 


Water  from  the  Rock. 


be  sowed,  nor  bringeth  forth  figs,  nor  vines,  nor  pomegran¬ 
ates;  neither  is  there  any  water  to  drink.” 

And  Moses  and  Aaron  leaving  the  multitude,  went 
into  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Covenant,  and  fell  flat  upon 
the  ground,  and  cried  to  the  Lord,  and  said,  “  O  Lord  God, 
hear  the  cry  of  this  people,  and  open  to  them  Thy  treasure, 
a  fountain  of  living  water,  that  being  satisfied,  they  may 
cease  to  murmur.” 

And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  over  them;  and 
the  Lord  spoke  to  Moses  saying,  “Take  the  rod  and 


88 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


assemble  the  people  together,  thou  and  Aaron  thy  brother, 
and  speak  to  the  rock  before  them,  and  it  shall  yield 
waters.  And  when  thou  hast  brought  forth  water  out 
of  the  rock,  all  the  multitude  and  their  cattle  shall  drink.” 

Moses  therefore  having  gathered  the  multitude  before 
the  rock,  said  to  them,  Hear,  ye  rebellious  and  incredu¬ 
lous:  can  we  bring  you  forth  water  out  of  this  rock?” 
And  when  Moses  had  lifted  up  his  hand,  and  struck  the 
rock  twice  with  the  rod,  there  came  forth  water  in  great 
abundance,  so  that  the  people  and  their  cattle  drank.13 

A  Prayer  of  Moses  With  Uplifted  Hands:  And 
Amelec14  came  and  fought  against  Israel  in  Raphidim. 

And  Moses  said  to  Josue,  4 'Choose  out  men  and  go 
out  and  fight  against  Amelec.  Tomorrow  I  will  stand 
on  the  top  of  the  hill,  having  the  rod  of  God  in  my  hand.” 

Josue  did  as  Moses  had  spoken,  and  he  fought  against 
Amelec. 

But  Moses  and  Aaron  and  Hur  went  up  upon  the  top 
of  the  hill;  and  when  Moses  lifted  up  his  hands,  Israel 
overcame,  but  if  he  let  them  down  a  little,  Amelec  over¬ 
came.  And  Moses’  hands  were  heavy,  so  they  took  a  stone 
and  put  under  him,  and  he  sat  on  it,  and  Aaron  and  Hur 
stayed  up  his  hands  on  both  sides.  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  his  hands  were  not  weary  until  sunset.  And  Josue 
put  Amelec  and  his  people  to  flight  by  the  edge  of  the 
sword. 

The  Price  of  Murmuring:  And  the  Lord  appeared 
to  Moses,  saying,  “Send  men  to  view  the  land  of  Chanaan, 
which  I  will  give  to  the  children  of  Israel.” 


THE  EXODUS 


89 


And  Moses  did  what  the  Lord  had  commanded.  And 
he  sent  from  the  desert  of  Pharan  principal  men,  saying 
to  them,  “Go  you  up  by  the  south  side,  and  when  you 
come  to  the  mountains,  view  the  land,  of  what  sort  it  is; 
and  the  people  that  are  the  inhabitants  thereof,  whether 
they  be  strong  or  weak,  few  in  number  or  many ;  the  land 
itself,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad;  what  manner  of  cities, 
walled  or  without  walls;  the  ground,  fat  or  barren,  woody 
or  without  trees.  Be  of  good  courage,  and  bring  us  of  the 
fruits  of  the  land.” 

And  when  the  men  were  gone  up,  they  viewed  the 
land10  from  the  desert  of  Sin,  unto  Rohob.  And  going 
forward  as  far  as  the  “Brook  of  the  Cluster  of  Grapes,” 
they  cut  off  a  branch  with  its  cluster  of  grapes,  which  two 
men  carried  upon  a  lever.16  They  took  also  of  the  pome¬ 
granates  and  of  the  figs. 

And  they  returned,  after  forty  days,  having  gone 
round  all  the  country;  and  they  came  to  Moses  and 
Aaron  and  to  all  the  assembly  of  the  children  of  Israel 
to  the  desert  of  Pharan,  which  is  in  Cades.  And  speaking 
to  them  and  to  all  the  multitude,  they  showed  them  the 
fruits  of  the  land,  and  they  related  and  said,  “We  came 
into  the  land  to  which  thou  sentest  us,  which  in  very  deed 
floweth  with  milk  and  honey,  as  may  be  known  by  these 
fruits;  but  it  hath  very  strong  inhabitants,  and  the 
cities  are  great  and  walled.” 

In  the  meantime  Caleb,  (who  himself  also  had  viewed 
the  land)  to  still  the  murmuring  of  the  people17  that  rose 
against  Moses,  said,  “Let  us  go  up  and  possess  the  land, 
for  we  shall  be  able  to  conquer  it.” 


90 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


But  the  others  that  had  been  with  him  said,  “No, 
we  are  not  able  to  go  up  to  this  people,  because  they  are 
stronger  than  we.”  And  they  spoke  ill  of  the  land  which 
they  had  viewed  before  the  children  of  Israel,  saying, 
“The  land  which  we  have  viewed  devoureth  its  inhabi¬ 
tants:18  the  people 
that  we  beheld,  are 
of  a  tall  stature. 
There  we  saw  cer¬ 
tain  monsters  of 
sons  of  Enac,  of  the 
giant  kind,  in  com¬ 
parison  of  whom  we 
seem  like  locusts.” 

Therefore  the 
whole  multitude 
crying  wept  that 
night.  And  all  the 
children  of  Israel 
murmured  against 
Moses  and  Aaron 
saying,  “Would 
God  that  we  had 
died  in  Egypt;  and  would  God  that  we  may  die  in  this 
vast  wilderness,  and  that  the  Lord  may  not  bring  us  into 
this  land,  lest  we  fall  by  the  sword,  and  our  wives  and 
our  children  be  led  away  captives.  Is  it  not  better  to 
return  into  Egypt?”  And  they  said  one  to  another, 
“Let  us  appoint  a  captain,  and  let  us  return  into 
Egypt.” 


The  Return  of  the  Spies. 


THE  EXODUS 


91 


And  when  Moses  and  Aaron  heard  this  they  fell  flat 
upon  the  ground  before  the  multitude  of  the  children 
of  Israel.  But  Josue,  the  son  of  Nun,  and  Caleb,  the  son 
of  Japhone,  who  themselves  also  had  viewed  the  land, 
rent  their  garments  and  said  to  all  the  multitude  of  the 
children  of  Israel,  4 'The  land  which  we  have  gone  round 
is  very  good;  if  the  Lord  be  favorable,  He  will  bring  us 
into  it,  and  give  us  a  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey. 
Be  not  rebellious  against  the  Lord,  and  fear  ye  not  the 
people  of  this  land,  for  we  are  able  to  eat  them  up  as 
bread.  All  aid  is  gone  from  them:  the  Lord  is  with  us: 
fear  ye  not.” 

And  when  all  the  multitude  cried  out,  and  would  have 
stoned  them,  the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  over  the 
Tabernacle  of  the  Covenant  to  all  the  children  of  Israel. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  "How  long  doth  this 
wicked  multitude  murmur  against  Me?  I  have  heard 
the  murmurings  of  the  children  of  Israel.  Say  therefore 
to  them,  ‘  All  you  that  were  numbered  from  twenty  years 
old  and  upwards,  and  have  murmured  against  Me,  shall 
not  enter  into  the  land  which  I  lifted  up  My  hand  to  make 
you  dwell  therein,  except  Caleb,  the  son  of  Japhone,  and 
Josue,  the  son  of  Nun.  But  your  children,  of  whom  you 
said  that  they  should  be  a  prey  to  the  enemies,  will  I 
bring  in,  that  they  may  see  the  land  which  you  have 
despised.  Your  carcasses  shall  lie  in  the  wilderness;  and 
your  children  shall  wander  in  the  desert  forty  years  until 
the  carcasses  of  their  fathers  be  consumed  in  the  desert, 
according  to  the  number  of  the  forty  days,  wherein  you 
viewed  the  land.  But  return  you,  and  go  into  the  wilder¬ 
ness  by  way  of  the  Red  Sea.’  ” 


92 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  departing  from  thence,  they  came  into  the  wilder¬ 
ness  that  leadeth  to  the  Red  Sea  as  the  Lord  had  spoken. 

The  Budding  of  Aaron’s  Rod:  And  behold,  Core, 
the  son  of  Isaar,  and  Dathan  and  Abiron,  the  sons  of 
Eliab,  and  Hon,  the  son  of  Pheleth,  rose  up  against  Moses, 
and  with  them  two  hundred  and  fifty  others  of  the 
children  of  Israel,  leading  men  of  the  Synagogue.  And 
when  they  had  stood  up  against  Moses  and  Aaron,  they 
said,  “Let  it  be  enough  for  you  that  all  the  multitude 
is  holy,19  and  the  Lord  is  among  them:  why  lift  ye  up 
yourselves  above  the  people  of  the  Lord?”  And  when 
Moses  heard  it  he  fell  flat  on  his  face. 

And  the  Lord  spoke  to  Moses  saying,  “Speak  to  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  take  of  every  one  of  them  a  rod 
by  their  kindreds;  of  all  the  princes  of  the  tribes,  twelve 
rods;  and  write  the  name  of  every  man  upon  his  rod; 
and  the  name  of  Aaron  shall  be  for  the  tribe  of  Levi;  and 
one  rod  shall  contain  all  their  families.  And  thou  shalt 
lay  them  up  in  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Covenant  before 
the  testimony,  where  I  shall  speak  to  thee.  Whomsoever 
of  these  I  shall  choose,  his  rod  shall  blossom;  and  I  will 
make  to  cease  from  Me  the  murmurings  of  the  children 
of  Israel,  wherewith  they  murmur  against  you.” 

And  Moses  spoke  to  the  children  of  Israel.  And  all 
the  princes  gave  him  rods,  one  for  every  tribe:  and 
there  were  twelve  rods  besides  the  rod  of  Aaron.  And 
when  Moses  had  laid  them  up  before  the  Lord  in  the 
Tabernacle  of  the  Testimony,  he  returned  on  the  follow¬ 
ing  day,  and  found  that  the  rod  of  Aaron,  for  the  house 


THE  EXODUS 


93 


of  Levi,  had  budded,  and  brought  forth  buds,  and  bloomed 
blossoms,  and  yielded  almonds.20 

Moses  therefore  brought  out  all  the  rods  from  before 
the  Lord  to  all  the  children  of  Israel:  and  they  saw,  and 
every  one  received  their  rods.  But  the  rod  of  Aaron  was 
carried  back  into  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Testimony  that 


The  Serpent  of  Brass. 


it  might  be  kept  there  for  a  token  of  the  rebellious  children 
of  Israel. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Aaron,  “Thou  and  thy  sons  and 
thy  father’s  house  with  thee  shall  bear  the  iniquity  of  the 
sanctuary.  All  things  that  are  sanctified  by  the  children 
of  Israel,  I  have  delivered  to  thee  and  to  thy  sons  for  the 
priestly  office,  by  everlasting  ordinances.” 

The  Brazen  Serpent:  And  the  people  began  to  be 
weary  of  their  journey  and  labor.  And  speaking  against 
God  and  Moses,  they  said,  “Why  didst  thou  bring  us  out 
of  Egypt  to  die  in  the  wilderness?  There  is  no  bread,  nor 


94 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


have  we  any  waters:  our  soul  now  loatheth  this  very 
light  food.”21 

Wherefore  the  Lord  sent  among  the  people  fiery 
serpents,  which  bit  them  and  killed  many  of  them.  Upon 
which  they  came  to  Moses  and  said,  “We  have  sinned 
because  we  have  spoken  against  the  Lord  and  thee;  pray 
that  He  may  take  away  the  serpents  from  us.” 


And  Moses  prayed  for  the  people.  And  the  Lord  said 
to  Moses,  “Make  a  brazen  serpent,  and  set  it  up  for  a 
sign.”  Which,  when  they  that  were  bitten  looked  upon, 
they  were  healed.22 

The  Call  of  Josue:  And  the  children  of  Israel  came 
at  length  to  the  mountains  of  Abarim,  over  against  Nabo. 
And  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  “Go  up  into  this  mountain 


Moses’  Successor. 


THE  EXODUS 


95 


of  Abarim,  and  view  from  thence  the  land  which  I  will 
give  to  the  children  of  Israel.  And  when  thou  shalt  have 
seen  it,  thou  shalt  go  to  thy  people.” 

And  Moses  answered  Him,  44  May  the  Lord  God  of  the 
spirits  of  all  flesh  provide  a  man  that  may  be  over  this 
multitude,  and  may  go  out  and  in  before  them,  and  may 
lead  them  out  or  bring  them  in,  lest  the  people  of  the 
Lord  be  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd.” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  him,  44  Take  Josue,23  the  son  of 
Nun,  a  man  in  whom  is  the  spirit,  and  put  thy  hand  upon 
him.  And  he  shall  stand  before  Eleazar,  the  priest,  and 
all  the  multitude.” 

And  Moses  did  as  the  Lord  had  commanded  him. 
And  He  said  to  Josue  before  all  the  multitude,  44  Take 
courage  and  be  valiant;  for  thou  shalt  bring  this  people 
into  the  land  which  the  Lord  swore  He  would  give  to  their 
fathers,  and  thou  shalt  divide  it  by  lot.  And  the  Lord  who 
is  your  leader,  He  himself  will  be  with  thee;  He  will  not 
leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee;  fear  not,  neither  be  dis¬ 
mayed.” 

The  Death  of  Moses:  And  departing  from  the 
mountains  of  Abarim,  the  children  of  Israel  passed  to  the 
plains  of  Moab.  Then  Moses  went  up  from  the  plains 
of  Moab  upon  Mount  Nebo,24  to  the  top  of  Phasga,  over 
against  Jericho:  And  the  Lord  showed  him  all  the  land 
of  Galaad  as  far  as  Dan;  and  all  Nephtali,  and  the  land 
of  Ephraim  and  Manasses,  and  all  the  land  of  Juda  to  the 
furthermost  sea;  and  the  south  part,  and  the  breadth  of 
the  plain  of  Jericho,  the  city  of  palm  trees,  as  far  as  Segor. 


96 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  the  Lord  said  to  him,  “This  is  the  land  for  which  I 
swore  to  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob,  saying,  * I  will 
give  it  to  thy  seed.’  Thou  hast  seen  it  with  thy  eyes, 

and  shalt  not  pass 
over  to  it.”25 

And  Moses,  the 
servant  of  the  Lord, 
died  there,  in  the 
land  of  Moab,  by 
the  commandment 
of  the  Lord.  And 
He  buried  him  in 
the  valley  of  the 
land  of  Moab,  over 
against  Phogor:  and 
no  man  hath  known 
of  his  sepulchre  un¬ 
til  this  present  day. 
And  there  arose  no 
more  a  prophet  in 
Israel  like  unto 
Moses,  whom  the 
Lord  knew  face  to 
face. 

The  Passage  of  the  Jordan:  Now  it  came  to  pass 
after  the  death  of  Moses,  the  servant  of  the  Lord,  that 
the  Lord  spoke  to  Josue,  the  son  of  Nun,  and  said  to  him, 
“Moses,  My  servant  is  dead;  arise,  and  pass  over  this 
Jordan,  thou  and  thy  people  with  thee,  into  the  land 
which  I  will  give  to  the  children  of  Israel.  I  will  deliver 


THE  EXODUS 


97 


to  you  every  place  that  the  sole  of  your  foot  shall  tread 
upon,  as  I  have  said  to  Moses.” 

And  Josue  rose  before  daylight,  and  removed  the 
camp;  and  they  departed  from  Setim,  and  came  to  the 
Jordan;  he  and  all  the  children  of  Israel.  And  they 
abode  there  for  three  days.  After  which,  he  said  to  the 


The  Passage  of  the  Jordan. 


people,  “Be  ye  sanctified,  for  tomorrow  the  Lord  will  do 
wonders  among  you.” 

And  he  said  to  the  priests,  “Take  up  the  Ark  of  the 
Covenant,  and  go  before  the  people.” 

So  the  people  went  out  of  their  tents,  to  pass  over  the 
Jordan:  and  the  priests  that  carried  the  Ark  of  the 
Covenant,  went  before  them.  And  as  soon  as  they  came 
into  the  Jordan,  and  their  feet  were  dipped  in  part  of  the 
water,  the  waters  that  came  down  from  above,  stood  in 
one  place,  and  swelling  up  like  a  mountain,  were  seen  afar 
off  from  the  city  that  is  called  Adorn,  to  the  place  of 


98 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Sarthan:  but  those  that  were  beneath,  ran  down  into 
the  sea  of  the  wilderness,  which  now  is  called  the  Dead 
Sea,  until  they  wholly  failed.  And  the  people  marched 
over  against  Jericho:  and  the  priests  that  carried  the  Ark 
of  the  Covenant  of  the  Lord,  stood  girded  upon  the  dry 
ground  in  the  midst  of  the  Jordan,  and  all  the  people 
passed  over  through  the  channel  that  was  dried  up. 

The  Fall  of  Jericho:  And  the  people  came  up  out 
of  the  Jordan,  the  tenth  of  the  first  month,  and  camped 
in  Galgal,  over  against  the  east  side  of  the  city  of  Jericho. 
And  when  Josue  was  in  the  field  of  the  city  of  Jericho,  he 
lifted  up  his  eyes  and  saw  a  man  standing  over  against 
him,  holding  a  drawn  sword;  and  he  went  up  to  him  and 
said,  “Art  thou  one  of  ours,  or  of  our  adversaries?” 

And  he  answered,  “No;  but  I  am  prince  of  the  host 
of  the  Lord,  and  now  I  am  come.” 

And  Josue  fell  on  his  face  to  the  ground.  And  wor¬ 
shipping  he  said,  “What  saith  my  Lord  to  His  servant?” 

“Loose,”  said  he,  “thy  shoes  from  off  thy  feet;  for 
the  place  whereon  thou  standest  is  holy.”  And  Josue  did 
as  was  commanded  him.  And  the  Lord  said  to  Josue, 
“Behold,  I  have  given  into  thy  hands  Jericho  and  the 
king  thereof  and  all  the  valiant  men.  Go  round  about 
the  city,  all  ye  fighting  men,  once  a  day;  so  shall  ye  do 
for  six  days;  and  on  the  seventh  day  the  priests  shall 
take  the  seven  trumpets,  which  are  used  in  the  Jubilee,  and 
shall  go  before  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  and  you  shall 
go  about  the  city  seven  times,  and  the  priests  shall  sound 
the  trumpets.  And  when  the  voice  of  the  trumpets  shall 


THE  EXODUS 


99 


give  a  longer  and  broken  tune,  and  shall  sound  in  your 
ears,  all  the  people  shall  shout  together  with  a  very 
great  shout,  and  the  walls  of  the  city  shall  fall  to  the 
ground;  and  they  shall  enter  in  everyone  at  the  place 
against  which  they 
shall  stand.” 

And  Josue,  rising 
before  day,  the 
priests  took  the  Ark 
of  the  Lord,  and 
seven  of  them  took 
seven  trumpets 
which  are  used  in 
the  Jubilee;  and 
they  went  before 
the  Ark  of  the  Lord, 
walking  and  sound¬ 
ing  the  trumpets; 
and  the  armed  men 
went  before  them, 
and  the  rest  of  the 
common  people  fol¬ 
lowed  the  Ark;  and 
they  blew  the  trumpets.  And  they  went  round  about 
the  city  the  second  day  once,  and  returned  into  the 
camp.  So  they  did  six  days.  But  the  seventh  day, 
rising  up  early,  they  went  about  the  city,  as  it  was 
ordered,  seven  times.  And  when  in  the  seventh  going 
about,  the  priests  sounded  with  the  trumpets,  Josue 
said  to  Israel,  “Shout,  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered  the 


The  Angel  Appearing  to  Josue. 


100 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


city  to  you.”  So  all  the  people  made  a  shout,  and  the 
trumpets  sounded;  and  when  the  voice  and  the  sound 
thundered  in  the  ears  of  the  multitude,  the  walls  forth¬ 
with  fell  down;  and  every  man  went  up  by  the  place 
that  was  over  against  him;  and  they  took  the  city. 

And  the  Lord  was  with  Josue.  And  he  took  all  the 
land,  as  the  Lord  spoke  to  Moses,  and  delivered  in  pos¬ 
session  to  the  children  of  Israel,  according  to  their  divisions 
and  tribes-26  And  the  people  obeyed  him  in  all  things. 


VI. 


THE  JUDGES. 

How  the  Judges  Came  to  Rule  in  Israel:  After 
Josue  and  all  that  generation  was  gathered  to  their 
fathers,  there  arose  others  that  knew  not  the  Lord,  and 
the  works  which  He  had  done  for  Israel.  And  the  child¬ 
ren  of  Israel  left  the  Lord,  the  God  of  their  fathers,  who 
had  brought  them  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt;  and  they 
followed  strange  gods,  and  the  gods  of  the  people  that 
dwelled  round  about  them;  and  they  adored  them;  and 
they  provoked  the  Lord  to  anger,  forsaking  Him  and 
serving  Baal  and  Astaroth2  and  the  Lord,  being  angry 
against  Israel,  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of  plun- 
-  derers,  who  took  them  and  sold  them  to  their  enemies 
that  dwelled  round  about;  neither  could  they  stand 
against  their  enemies.  But  whithersoever  they  meant 
to  go,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon  them,  as  He  had 
said,  and  as  He  had  sworn  to  them:  and  they  were 
greatly  distressed.  And  the  Lord  heard  the  groanings  of 
the  afflicted,  and  was  moved  to  mercy,  and  raised  up 
judges4  to  deliver  them  from  the  hands  of  those  that 
oppressed  them.  But  after  the  judge  was  dead,  they 
returned  and  did  much  worse  things  than  their  fathers 
had  done,  following  strange  gods,  serving  them  and 
adoring  them. 

Gedeon  and  the  Battle  of  the  Lamps  and  Pitch¬ 
ers:  And  the  children  of  Israel  did  evil  in  the  sight 


102 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


of  the  Lord,  and  He  delivered  them3  into  the  hand  of 
Madian4  seven  years.  And  Israel  was  humbled  exceed¬ 
ingly  in  the  sight  of  Madian,  and  he  cried  to  the  Lord, 
desiring  help  against  the  Madianites.  And  an  angel  of 
the  Lord  came  and  sat  under  an  oak,  that  was  in  Ephra, 
and  belonged  to  Joas,  the  father  of  the  family  of  Ezri. 
And  Gedeon,  the  son  of  Joas,  was  thrashing  and  cleansing 
wheat  by  the  winepress.5  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  ap¬ 
peared  to  him  and  said,  “The  Lord  is  with  thee,  O  most 
valiant  of  11160/’ 

“And  Gedeon  said  to  him,  “I  beseech  Thee,  my  Lord, 
if  the  Lord  be  with  us,  why  have  these  evils  fallen  upon 
us?  Where  are  His  miracles  which  our  fathers  have  told 
us  of,  saying,  4 The  Lord  brought  us  out  of  Egypt';  but 
now  the  Lord  hath  forsaken  us,  and  delivered  us  into  the 
hands  of  Madian.” 

And  the  Lord  looked  upon  him,  and  said,  44  Go  in  this 
thy  strength,  and  thou  shalt  deliver  Israel  out  of  the 
hand  of  Madian.  Know  that  I  have  sent  thee.” 

He  answered  and  said,  “I  beseech  Thee,  my  Lord, 
wherewith  shall  I  deliver  Israel.  Behold,  my  family  is 
the  meanest  in  Manasses,  and  I  am  the  least  in  my 
father’s  house.” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  him,  44 1  will  be  with  thee,  and 
thou  shalt  cut  off  Madian  as  one  man.” 

And  Gedeon  said  to  God,  44  If  thou  wilt  save  Israel  by 
my  hand,  as  Thou  hast  said,  I  will  put  this  fleece  of  wool 
on  the  floor;  if  there  be  dew  on  the  fleece  only,  and  it  be 
dry  on  all  the  ground  beside,  I  shall  know  that  by  my  hand 
as  Thou  hast  said  Thou  wilt  deliver  Israel.” 


THE  JUDGES 


103 


And  it  was  so;  and  rising  before  day,  wringing  the 
fleece,  he  filled  a  vessel  with  the  dew. 

And  he  said  again  to  God,  “Let  not  Thy  wrath  be 
kindled  against  me  if  I  try  once  more,  seeking  a  sign  in 
the  fleece.  I  pray  that  the  fleece  only  may  be  dry,  and 
all  the  ground  wet  with  dew.” 

And  God  did  that  night  as  he  had  requested;  and  it 
was  dry  on  the  fleece  only,  and  there  was  dew  on  all  the 
ground. 

Then  Gedeon,  rising  up  early,  called  together  a  great 
multitude  from  Manasses,  and  Aser,  and  Zabublon,  and 
Nepthali,  and  came  to  the  fountain  that  is  called  Hared; 
the  camp  of  Madian  being  in  the  valley  on  the  north  side 
of  the  high  hill. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Gedeon,  “The  people  that  are 
with  thee  are  many,  and  Madian  shall  not  be  delivered 
into  their  hands,  lest  Israel  should  glory  against  me  and 
say,  ‘I  was  delivered  by  my  own  strength.’  Speak  to  the 
people,  and  proclaim  in  the  hearing  of  all;  Whosoever  is 
fearful  and  timorous  let  him  return.”  So  two  and  twenty 
thousand  men  went  away  from  Mount  Galaad  and 
returned  home;  and  only  ten  thousand  remained. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Gedeon,  “The  people  are  still 
too  many,  bring  them  to  the  waters  and  there  I  will 
try  them:  and  of  whom  I  shall  say  to  thee,  ‘This  shall 
go  with  thee,’  let  him  go;  whom  I  shall  forbid  to  go,  let 
him  return.” 

And  when  the  people  were  come  down  to  the  waters, 
the  Lord  said  to  Gedeon,  “They  that  shall  lap  the  water 
with  their  tongues,  as  dogs  are  wont  to  lap,  thou  slialt 


104 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


set  apart  by  themselves;  but  they  that  shall  drink, 
bowing  down  their  knees,  shall  be  on  the  other  side.” 
And  the  number  of  them  that  had  lapped  water,  casting 
it  with  their  hand  to  their  mouth,  was  three  hundred  men; 
and  all  the  rest  of  the  multitude  had  drunk  kneeling. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Gedeon,  “By  the  three  hundred 
men  that  lapped  water,  I  will  save  you  and  deliver  Madian 


Gedeon  Chooses  His  Soldiers. 


into  thy  hand;  but  let  all  the  rest  of  the  people  return 
to  their  place.”  So  taking  trumpets  and  victuals  accord¬ 
ing  to  their  number,  he  ordered  all  the  rest  of  the  multitude 
to  depart  to  their  tents;  and  he,  with  the  three  hundred 
gave  himself  to  battle 

That  same  night,  the  Lord  said  to  Gedeon,  “Arise  and 
go  into  the  camp,  because  I  have  delivered  them  into  thy 
hand.  But  if  thou  be  afraid  to  go  alone,  let  Pliara,  thy 
servant,  go  down  with  thee.  And  when  thou  shalt  hear 


THE  JUDGES 


105 


what  they  are  saying,  then  shalt  thy  hands  be  strength¬ 
ened,  and  thou  shalt  go  down  more  secure  to  the 
enemies’  camp.” 

Now  Madian  and  Ameleck  and  all  the  eastern  people 
lay  scattered  in  the  valley,  as  a  multitude  of  locusts;  their 
camels  also  were  innumerable  as  the  sand  that  lieth  on  the 
sea  shore.  And  Gedeon  went  down  with  Phara  his  ser¬ 
vant,  into  that  part  of  their  camp  where  was  the  watch 
of  men  in  arms. 

And  when  Gedeon  was  come,  one  told  his  neighbor 
a  dream;  and  in  this  manner  he  related  what  he  had 
seen: — “I  dreamt  a  dream,  and  it  seemed  to  me  as  if  a 
hearth  cake  of  barley  bread  rolled  and  came  down  into 
the  camp  of  Madian;  and  when  it  was  come  to  a  tent,  it 
struck  it,  and  beat  it  down  flat  to  the  ground.” 

He  to  whom  he  spoke  answered,  “This  is  nothing  else 
but  the  sword  of  Gedeon,  the  son  of  Joas,  a  man  of 
Israel;  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered  Madian,  and  all  their 
camp  into  his  hand.” 

And  when  Gedeon  had  heard  the  dream  and  the  inter¬ 
pretation  thereof,  he  adored,  and  returned  to  the  camp 
of  Israel  and  said,  “Arise,  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered 
the  camp  of  Madian  into  our  hands.”  And  he  divided 
the  three  hundred  men  into  three  parts,  and  gave  them 
trumpets  in  their  hands,  and  empty  pitchers,  and  lamps 
within  the  pitchers.  And  he  said  to  them,  “What  you 
shall  see  me  do,  do  you  the  same:  I  will  go  into  one  part 
of  the  camp,  and  do  you  as  I  shall  do.  When  the  trumpet 
shall  sound  in  my  hand,  do  you  also  blow  the  trumpets 
on  every  side  of  the  camp.” 


106 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Gedeon,  and  the  three  hundred  men  that  were 
with  him  went  into  part  of  the  camp  at  the  beginning  of 
the  midnight  watch.  And  the  watchmen  being  alarmed, 
they  began  to  sound  their  trumpets,  and  to  clap  the 
pitchers,  one  against  another.  And  when  they  sounded 
their  trumpets  in  three  places  round  about  the  camp, 
and  had  broken  their  pitchers,  they  held  their  lamps  in 


The  Flight  of  the  Madianites. 


their  left  hands,  and  in  their  right  hands  the  trumpets 
which  they  blew;  and  they  cried  out,  ‘‘The  sword  of 
the  Lord  and  of  Gedeon”;  standing  every  man  in  his 
place  round  about  the  enemies’  camp.  So  all  the  camp 
was  troubled,  and  crying  out  and  howling,  they  fled  away. 
And  the  three  hundred  men  nevertheless,  persisted  sound¬ 
ing  their  trumpets.  And  the  Lord  sent  the  sword  into  all 
the  camp,  and  they  killed  one  another;  fleeing  as  far  as 
Bethsetta. 


THE  JUDGES 


107 

And  Madian  was  humbled  before  the  children  of 
Israel,  neither  could  they  any  more  lift  up  their  heads; 
but  the  land  rested  forty  years,  while  Gedeon  presided. 

Samson  and  the  Jaw  Bone  of  an  Ass:  And  the 
children  of  Israel  did  evil  again  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord; 
and  He  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of  the  Philistines6 
forty  years. 

Now  there  was  a  certain  man  of  Saraa,  and  of  the  race 
of  Dan,  whose  name  was  Manue;  and  an  angel  of  the 
Lord  appeared  to  his  wife  and  said,  “  Behold,  thou  shall 
conceive  and  bear  a  son,  and  no  razor  shall  touch  his 
head,  for  he  shall  be  a  Nazarite9  of  God,  from  his  infancy 
until  the  day  of  his  death.”  And  the  woman  bore  a  son, 
and  called  his  name  Samson;  and  the  child  grew  and  the 
Lord  blessed  him.  And  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  began  to  be 
with  Samson ;  and  he  wrought  great  slaughter  among  the 
Philistines,  and  he  consumed  with  fire  their  vineyards  and 
olive  yards. 

And  the  Philistines  going  up  into  the  land  of  Juda, 
camped  in  the  place  which  afterwards  was  called  Lechi, 
that  is,  the  jaw  bone,  where  their  army  was  spread. 

And  the  men  of  the  tribe  of  Juda  said  to  them,  “Why 
are  you  come  up  against  us.” 

They  answered,  “We  are  come  to  bind  Samson,  and 
to  pay  him  for  what  he  hath  done  against  us.” 

Therefore  three  thousand  men  of  Juda  went  down 
to  the  cave  of  the  rock  Etam,  where  Samson  was  and 
said  to  him,  “Knowest  thou  not  that  the  Philistines  rule 
over  us;  why  sliouldst  thou  do  thus?” 


108 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  he  said,  “As  they  did  to  me,  so  I  have  done  to 
them.” 

And  they  said,  “We  are  come  to  bind  thee  and  to 
deliver  thee  into  the  hands  of  the  Philistines.” 

And  Samson  said  to  them,  “Swear  to  me,  and  promise 
me  that  you  will  not  kill  me.” 

They  said,  “We  will  not  kill  thee;  but  we  will  deliver 
thee  up  bound.”  And  they  bound  him  with  two  new 
cords,  and  brought  him  back  from  the  rock  of  Etam. 

Now  when  he  was  come  to  the  place  of  the  Jaw  Bone, 
and  the  Philistines,  shouting,  went  to  meet  him,  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  came  strongly  upon  him  and  as  flax 
is  wont  to  be  consumed  at  the  approach  of  fire,  so  the 
bands  with  which  he  was  bound,  were  broken  and  loosed. 
And  finding  a  jaw  bone,  even  the  jaw  bone  of  an  ass, 
which  lay  there,  catching  it  up,  he  slew  therewith  a 
thousand  men. 

The  Secret  of  Samson's  Strength:  After  this 
Samson  loved  a  woman  who  lived  in  the  valley  of  Sorec; 
and  she  was  called  Delila.  And  the  princes  of  the  Philis¬ 
tines  came  to  her  and  said,  “Deceive  him,  and  learn  of 
him  wherein  his  great  strength  lieth,  and  how  we  may 
be  able  to  overcome  him,  to  bind  and  afflict  him;  which, 
it  thou  wilt  do,  we  will  give  thee,  every  one  of  us,  eleven 
hundred  pieces  of  silver.” 

And  Dalila  said  to  Samson,  “Tell  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
wherein  thy  greatest  strength  lieth;  and  what  it  is 
wherewith  if  thou  wert  bound  thou  couldst  not  break 
loose.” 


THE  JUDGES 


109 


And  Samson  answered  her,  “If  I  shall  be  bound  with 
seven  cords  made  of  sinews,9  not  yet  dry,  but  still  moist, 
I  shall  be  weak  like  other  men.” 

And  the  princes  of  the  Philistines  brought  unto  her 
seven  cords,  such  as  he  spoke  of,  with  which  she  bound 
him;  men  lying  pri¬ 
vately  in  wait  with 
her  and  in  the 
chamber,  expecting 
the  event  of  the 
thing. 

And  she  cried 
out  to  him,  “The 
Philistines  are  upon 
thee  Samson.”  And 
he  broke  the  bonds 
as  a  man  would 
break  a  thread  of 
tow  twined  with 
spittle  when  it  smell  - 
eth  the  fire.  So  it 
was  not  known 
wherein  his  strength 

]ay  Samson  and  Dalila. 

And  Dalila  said  to  him,  “Behold  thou  hast  mocked 
me,  and  hast  told  me  a  false  thing;  but  now  at  least 
tell  me  wherewith  thou  mayest  be  bound?” 

And  he  answered  her,  “If  I  shall  be  bound  with  new 
ropes  that  were  never  in  work,  I  shall  be  weak  and  like 
other  men.” 


110 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Dalila  bound  him  again  with  these,  and  cried  out, 
“The  Philistines  are  upon  thee  Samson”;  there  being  an 
ambush  prepared  for  him  in  the  chamber.  But  he  broke 
the  bands  like  the  threads  of  webs. 

And  Dalila  said  to  him  again,  “How  long  dost  thou 
deceive  me  and  tell  me  lies?  Show  me  wherewith  thou 
mayest  be  bound.” 


Putting  Out  Samson’s  Eyes. 


And  Samson  answered  her,  “If  thou  plattest  the  seven 
locks  of  my  head  with  a  lace,13  and  tying  them  round 
about  a  nail,  fastenest  it  in  the  ground,  I  shall  be  weak.” 

And  when  Dalila  had  done  this,  she  said  to  him, 
“The  Philistines  are  upon  thee,  Samson.”  And  awaken¬ 
ing  out  of  his  sleep,  he  drew  out  the  nail  with  the  hairs 
and  the  lace. 

And  Dalila  said  to  him,  “How  dost  thou  say  thou 
lovest  me,  when  thy  mind  is  not  with  me?  Thou  hast 
told  me  lies  these  three  times,  and  wouldst  not  tell  me 


THE  JUDGES 


111 


wherein  thy  strength  lieth.”  And  when  she  pressed  him 
much,  and  continually  hung  upon  him  for  many  days, 
giving  him  no  time  to  rest,  his  soul  fainted  away,  and  was 
wearied  even  until  death. 

Then  opening  the  truth  of  the  thing,  he  said  to  her, 
“The  razor  hath  never  come  upon  my  head,  for  I  am  a 


The  Capture  of  Samson. 


Nazarite,  that  is  to  say,  consecrated  to  God  from  my 
mother’s  womb :  if  my  head  be  shaven,  my  strength  shall 
depart  from  me,  and  I  shall  become  weak  and  shall  be 
like  other  men.” 

Then  seeing  that  he  had  discovered  to  her  all  his 
mind,  she  went  to  the  princes  of  the  Philistines  saying, 
“Come  up  this  once  more;  for  now  he  hath  opened  his 
heart  to  me.”  And  they  went  up  taking  with  them  the 


112 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


money  which  they  had  promised.  And  she  made  him 
sleep  upon  her  knees ;  and  she  called  a  barber  and  shaved 
his  seven  locks;  and  she  began  to  drive  him  away  and 
thrust  him  from  her,  for  immediately  his  strength  de¬ 
parted  from  him.  Then  the  Philistines  seized  upon  him, 
and  forthwith  pulled  out  his  eyes,  and  led  him  bound  in 
chains  to  Gaza,  and  shutting  him  up  in  prison,  made  him 
grind. 

And  now  his  hair  began  to  grow  again.  And  the 
princes  of  the  Philistines  assembled  together  to  offer 
great  sacrifice  to  Dagon,10  their  god,  and  to  make  merry 
saying,  44  Our  god  hath  delivered  our  enemy  Samson  into 
our  hands.”  And  the  people  also,  seeing  this,  praised 
their  god,  and  said  the  same:  44 Our  god  hath  delivered 
our  adversary  into  our  hands,  him  that  destroyed  our 
country  and  killed  very  many.” 

And  rejoicing  in  their  feasts,  when  they  had  now 
taken  good  cheer,  they  commanded  that  Samson  should 
be  called,  and  should  play  before  them.11  And  being 
brought  out  of  prison,  he  played  before  them;  and  they 
made  him  stand  between  two  pillars. 

And  he  said  to  the  lad  that  guided  his  steps,  44  Suffer 
me  to  touch  the  pillars  which  support  the  whole  house; 
and  let  me  lean  upon  them,  and  rest  a  little.”  Now  the 
house  was  full  of  men  and  women;  and  all  the  princes  of 
the  Philistines  were  there.  Moreover  about  three  thousand 
of  both  sexes  from  the  roof  and  the  higher  part  of  the 
house  were  beholding  Samson’s  play.  But  he  called  upon 
the  Lord,  saying,  44 O  Lord  remember  me;  and  restore  to 
me  now  my  former  strength,  O  my  God,  that  I  may 

■ 


THE  JUDGES 


113 


revenge  myself  on  my  enemies;  and  for  the  loss  of  my 
two  eyes,  I  may  take  one  revenge.”  And  laying  hold  on 
both  the  pillars  on  which  the  house  rested,  and  holding 
the  one  with  his  right  hand,  and  the  other  with  his  left, 
he  said,  “Let  me 
die  with  the  Philis¬ 
tines.”  And  when 
he  had  strongly 
shook  the  pillars, 
the  house  fell  upon 
all  the  princes  and 
the  rest  of  the  mul¬ 
titude  that  was 
there;  and  he  killed 
many  more  at  his 
death,  than  he  had 
killed  before  in  his 
life. 

And  all  his  breth¬ 
ren  and  his  kin¬ 
dred,  going  down, 
took  his  body  and 

!  •  i  *,  •  The  Death  of  Samson. 

buried  it  m  the 

burying  place  of  his  father  Manue:  and  he  judged  Israel 
twenty  years. 


The  Birth  of  Samuel:  There  was  a  man  of  Mount 
Ephraim,  and  his  name  was  Elcana,  and  the  name  of  his 
wife  was  Anna.  Anna  had  no  children,  wherefore  her  heart 
was  full  of  grief,  and  she  prayed  to  the  Lord,  shedding  many 


114 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


tears;  and  she  made  a  vow  saying,  “O  Lord  of  Hosts, 
if  Thou  wilt  look  down  on  the  affliction  of  Thy  servant, 
and  wilt  be  mindful  of  me,  and  not  forget  Thy  handmaid, 
and  wilt  give  to  Thy  servant  a  man-child,  I  will  give  him 

to  the  Lord  all  the 
days  of  his  life;  and 
no  razor  shall  come 
upon  his  head.”12 
And  the  Lord  re¬ 
membered  her. 
And  Anna  con¬ 
ceived  and  bore  a 
son;  and  she  called 
his  name  Samuel,13 
because  she  had 
asked  him  of  the 
Lord. 

And  after  she 

had  weaned  him, 

she  carried  him 

with  her,  with  three 

calves  and  three 
Bringing  Samuel  to  the  Temple.  bushels  of  flour  and 

a  bottle  of  wine,14  and  she  brought  him  to  the  house  of  the 
Lord  in  Silo,  and  offered  him  to  Heli,  the  priest,  saying, 
“For  this  child  did  I  pray,  and  the  Lord  hath  granted 
me  my  petition  which  I  asked  of  Him.  Therefore  I  also 
have  lent  him  to  the  Lord ;  all  the  days  of  his  life  he  shall 
be  lent  to  the  Lord.”  And  they  adored  the  Lord,  and 
returned  to  their  house.  But  the  child  ministered  in  the 


THE  JUDGES 


115 


sight  of  the  Lord  before  Heli,  the  priest,  who  was  very 
old.  And  he  advanced  and  grew  on,  and  pleased  both 
God  and  man. 

The  Call  of  Samuel:  Now  the  word  of  the  Lord  was 
precious  in  those  days;  there  was  no  manifest  vision.15 
And  it  came  to  pass,  one  day,  when  Heli  lay  in  his  place, 
and  his  eyes  were  grown  dim  that  he  could  not  see,  before 
the  lamp  of  God  went  out,  Samuel  slept  in  the  temple  of 
the  Lord,  where  the  ark  of  God  was.  And  the  Lord 
called  to  Samuel.  And  he  answered,  “Here  am  I.” 

And  he  ran  to  Heli  and  said,  “Here  am  I;  for  thou 
didst  call  me.  ” 

He  said,  “I  did  not  call;  go  back  and  sleep. ”  And  he 
went  and  slept. 

And  the  Lord  called  Samuel  again.  And  Samuel  arose 
and  went  to  Heli,  and  said,  “Here  am  I:  for  thou  calledst 
me.” 

He  answered,  “I  did  not  call  thee,  my  son;  return 
and  sleep.”  Now  Samuel  did  not  yet  know  the  Lord; 
neither  had  the  word  of  the  Lord  been  revealed  to  him. 

And  the  Lord  called  Samuel  again  the  third  time. 
And  he  arose  and  went  to  Heli,  and  said,  “Here  I  am; 
for  thou  didst  call  me.” 

Then  Heli  understood  that  the  Lord  called  the  child, 
and  he  said  to  Samuel,  “Go  and  sleep;  and  if  He  shall 
call  thee  any  more,  thou  shalt  say,  ‘Speak,  Lord,  for  Thy 
servant  heareth.  ’  ”  So  Samuel  went  and  slept  in  his 
place. 

And  the  Lord  came  and  stood:  and  He  called,  as  He 
had  called  the  other  times,  “Samuel,  Samuel.” 


116 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Samuel  said,  “Speak,  Lord,  for  Thy  servant 
heareth.” 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Samuel,  “Behold,  I  do  a  thing 
in  Israel;  and  whosoever  shall  hear  it,  both  his  ears  shall 

tingle.  In  that  day 
I  will  raise  up 
against  Heli  all  the 
things  I  have  spok¬ 
en  concerning  his 
house;17  I  will  be¬ 
gin,  and  I  will  make 
an  end.  For  I  have 
foretold  unto  him 
that  I  will  judge 
his  house  forever, 
for  iniquity  ;  be¬ 
cause  he  knew  that 
his  sons  did  wicked¬ 
ly,  and  did  not 
chastise  them. 
Therefore  have  I 
sworn  to  the  house 
of  Heli,  that  the 
iniquity  of  his  house  shall  not  be  expiated  with  victims 
nor  offerings  forever.”  And  Samuel  slept  till  morning, 
and  opened  the  doors  of  the  house  of  the  Lord.  And 
Samuel  feared  to  tell  the  vision  to  Heli. 

Then  Heli  called  Samuel,  and  said,  “Samuel,  my  son.” 

And  he  answered,  “Here  am  I.” 

And  he  asked  him,  “What  is  the  word  that  the  Lord 
hath  spoken  to  thee?  I  beseech  thee,  hide  it  not  from 


Samuel  Praying  Before  the  Ark. 


THE  JUDGES 


117 


me.  May  God  do  so  and  so  to  thee,16  and  add  so  and  so, 
if  thou  hide  from  me  one  word  of  all  that  were  said  to 
thee.” 

So  Samuel  told  him  all  the  words,  and  did  not  hide 
them  from  him.  And  he  answered,  “It  is  the  Lord:  let 
Him  do  what  is  good  in  His  sight.” 

And  Samuel  grew  and  the  Lord  was  with  him;  and 
not  one  of  his  words  fell  to  the  ground;  and  all  Israel, 
from  Dan  to  Bersabee,  knew  that  he  was  a  faithful  prophet 
of  the  Lord.  And  he  judged  Israel  all  the  days  of  his  life. 

The  End  of  the  Judges’  Rule:  And  it  came  to  pass 
when  Samuel  was  old,  that  he  appointed  his  sons  to  be 
judges  over  Israel.  And  his  sons  walked  not  in  his  ways; 
but  they  turned  aside  after  lucre,  and  took  bribes  and 
perverted  judgment. 

Then  all  the  ancients  of  Israel  being  assembled,  came 
to  Samuel,  and  they  said  to  him,  “Behold  thou  art  old, 
and  thy  sons  walk  not  in  thy  ways:  make  us  a  king  to 
judge  us,  as  all  nations  have.” 

And  the  word  was  displeasing  in  the  eyes  of  Samuel,18 
that  they  should  say,  “Give  us  a  king,  to  judge  us”; 
and  Samuel  prayed  to  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord  said  to 
Samuel,  “Hearken  to  the  voice  of  the  people  in  all  that 
they  say  to  thee.  For  they  have  not  rejected  thee,  but 
Ale,  that  I  should  not  reign  over  them.  Now  therefore, 
hearken  to  their  voice,  but  yet  testify  to  them,  and  fortell 
them  the  right  of  the  king,  that  shall  reign  over  them.” 

Then  Samuel  told  all  the  words  of  the  Lord  to  the 
people  that  desired  a  king  of  him,  and  said:  “This will 


118 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


be  the  right  of  the  king,  that  shall  reign  over  you:  He 
will  take  your  sons,  and  put  them  in  his  chariots,  and  will 
make  them  his  horsemen,  and  his  running  footmen,  to 
run  before  his  chariots,  and  he  will  appoint  them  to  be  his 
tribunes,  and  centurions,  and  to  plough  his  fields,  and  to 
reap  his  corn,  and  to  make  him  arms  and  chariots.  Your 
daughters  also  he  will  take  to  make  him  ointments,  and 
to  be  his  cooks  and  bakers.  And  he  will  take  your  fields 
and  your  vineyards,  and  your  best  olive  yards,  and  give 
them  to  his  servants.  Moreover  he  will  take  the  tenth 
of  your  corn,  and  of  the  revenues  of  your  vineyards,  to 
give  his  courtiers  and  servants.  Your  servants  also  and 
handmaids,  and  your  goodliest  young  men,  and  your 
asses  he  will  take  away  and  put  them  to  his  work.  Your 
flocks  also  he  will  tithe,  and  you  shall  be  his  servants. 
And  you  shall  cry  out  in  that  day  from  the  face  of  the 
king,  whom  you  have  chosen  to  yourselves;  and  the 
Lord  will  not  hear  you  in  that  day,  because  you  desired 
unto  yourselves  a  king.” 

But  the  people  would  not  hear  the  voice  of  Samuel, 
and  they  said,  44 Nay:  but  there  shall  be  a  king  over 
us.  And  we  also  will  be  like  all  nations;  and  our  king 
shall  judge  us,  and  go  out  before  us,  and  fight  our  battles 
for  us.” 

And  Samuel  heard  all  the  words  of  the  people,  and 
rehearsed  them  in  the  the  ears  of  the  Lord. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Samuel,  44  Hearken  to  their 
voice  and  make  them  a  king.” 

And  Samuel  said  to  the  men  of  Israel,  44  Let  every  man 
go  to  his  own  city.”19 


VII. 


KING  SAUL. 

The  Quest  of  Some  Asses  and  What  Came  of  it: 
Now  there  was  a  man  of  Benjamin,  whose  name  was  Cis; 
and  he  had  a  son  whose  name  was  Saul;  a  choice  and 
goodly  man;  and  there  was  not  among  the  children  of 
Israel  a  goodlier  person  than  he;  from  his  shoulders  and 
upward  he  appeared  above  all  the  people. 

And  the  asses  of  Cis,  Saul’s  father,  were  lost:  and 
Cis  said  to  his  son  Saul,  “Take  one  of  the  servants  with 
thee,  and  arise,  go,  and  seek  the  asses.” 

And  when  they  had  passed  through  Mount  Ephraim, 
and  through  the  land  of  Salisa,  and  had  not  found  them, 
they  passed  also  through  the  land  of  Salim;  and  they  were 
not  there;  and  through  the  land  of  Jemini;  and  found 
them  not.  And  when  they  were  come  to  the  land  of 
Suph,  Saul  said  to  the  servant  that  was  with  him,  “Come 
let  us  return,  lest  my  father  forget  the  asses,  and  be 
concerned  for  us.” 

And  he  said  to  him,  “Behold  there  is  a  man  of  God 
in  this  city,  a  famous  man.  All  that  he  saith  cometh 
certainly  to  pass.  Now  therefore  let  us  go  thither,  perhaps 
he  may  tell  us  of  our  way,  for  which  we  are  come.” 

And  Saul  said  to  his  servant,  “Behold,  we  will  go. 
But  what  shall  we  carry  to  the  man  of  God?  The  bread 
is  spent  in  our  bags;  and  we  have  no  present  to  make 
to  the  man  of  God;  nor  any  thing  at  all.” 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


120 


The  servant  answered  Saul  again  and  said,  “  Behold, 
there  is  found  in  my  hand  the  fourth  part  of  a  side  of 
silver;1  let  us  give  it  to  the  man  of  God,  that  he  may  tell 
us  our  way.” 

And  Saul  said  to  his  servant,  “Thy  word  is  very  good; 
come  let  us  go.”  And  they  went  into  the  city  where  the 
man  of  God  was. 

And  when  they  went  up  the  ascent  to  the  city,  they 
found  maids  coming  out  to  draw  water;  and  they  said  to 
them,  “Is  the  seer2  here?” 

They  answered  and  said  to  them,  uHe  is;  behold,  he 
is  before  you;  make  haste  now,  for  he  cometh  today 
into  the  city;  for  there  is  a  sacrifice  of  the  people  today 
in  the  high  place.3  As  soon  as  you  come  into  the  city 
you  shall  immediately  find  him  before  he  go  up  to  the 
high  place  to  eat :  for  the  people  will  not  eat  till  he  come, 
because  he  blesseth  the  victim;  and  afterwards  they  eat 
that  are  invited.4  Now  therefore  go  up,  for  today  you 
shall  find  him.” 

And  they  went  up  into  the  city.  And  when  they  were 
walking  in  the  midst  of  the  city,  behold,  Samuel  was 
coming  out  over-against  them,  to  go  up  to  the  high  place. 

Now  the  Lord  had  revealed  to  the  ear  of  Samuel 
the  day  before  Saul  came,  saying,  “  Tomorrow,  about 
this  same  hour,  I  will  send  thee  a  man  of  the  land  of 
Benjamin,  and  thou  shalt  annoint  him  to  be  ruler  over 
my  people  Israel;  and  he  shall  save  my  people  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  Philistines;  for  I  have  looked  down  upon 
my  people,  because  their  cry  is  come  to  me.”  And  when 
Samuel  saw  Saul,  the  Lord  said  to  him,  “Behold,  the 


KING  SAUL 


121 

man  of  whom  I  spoke  to  thee;  this  man  shall  reign 
over  my  people.” 

And  Saul  came  to  Samuel  in  the  midst  of  the  gate 
and  said,  “Tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  where  is  the  house  of 
the  seer?” 

And  Samuel  answered  Saul,  saying,  “I  am  the  seer; 
go  up  before  me  to  the  high  place,  that  you  may  eat 
with  me  today,  and  I  will  let  thee  go  in  the  morning,  and 
tell  thee  all  that  is  in  thy  heart.  And  as  for  the  asses, 
which  were  lost  three  days  ago,  be  not  solicitous,  because 
they  are  found.  And  for  whom  shall  be  all  the  best 
things  of  Israel?  Shall  they  not  be  for  thee  and  thy 
father’s  house.” 

And  Saul  answering,  said,  “Am  not  I  a  son  of  Jemini, 
of  the  least  tribe  of  Israel :  and  my  kindred  the  last  among 
all  the  families  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin?  Why  then 
hast  thou  spoken  this  word  to  me?” 

Then  Samuel  taking  Saul  and  his  servant,  brought 
them  into  the  parlour,  and  gave  them  a  place  at  the 
head  of  them  that  were  invited;  for  there  were  about 
thirty  men.  And  Samuel  said  to  the  cook,  “Bring  the 
portion,  which  I  gave  thee,  and  commanded  thee  to  set 
it  apart  by  thee.”  And  the  cook  took  up  the  shoulder  and 
set  it  before  Saul.  And  Samuel  said,  “Behold,  what 
is  left;  set  it  before  thee  and  eat,  because  it  was  kept  of 
purpose  for  thee,  when  I  invited  the  people.”  And  Saul 
ate  with  Samuel  that  day. 

And  they  went  down  from  the  high  place  into  the 
town,  and  he  spoke  with  Saul  on  the  top  of  the  house.5 
And  he  prepared  a  bed  for  Saul  on  the  top  of  the  house; 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  he  slept.  And  when  they  were  risen  in  the  morning 
and  it  began  to  grow  light,  Samuel  called  Saul  on  the 
top  of  the  house,  saying,  “Rise,  that  I  may  let  thee  go.” 
And  Saul  arose;  and  they  went  out  both  of  them;  to 
wit,  he  and  Samuel.  And  as  they  were  going  down  in  the 
end  of  the  city,  Samuel  said  to  Saul,  “  Speak  to  the  servant 


Samuel  Annointing  Saul. 


to  go  before  us,  and  pass  on,  but  stand  thou  still  awhile,  that 
I  may  tell  thee  the  word  of  the  Lord.”  And  Samuel  took 
a  little  vial  of  oil,6  and  poured  it  upon  his  head,  and 
kissed  him,  and  said,  “Behold,  the  Lord  hath  annointed 
thee  to  be  prince  over  His  inheritance;  and  thou  shalt 
deliver  His  people  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies  that 
are  round  about  them.  And  this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  thee, 
that  God  hath  annointed  thee  to  be  prince:  When  thou 


KING  SAUL 


123 


shalt  depart  from  me  this  day,  thou  shalt  find  two  men 
by  the  sepulchre  of  Rachel,  and  they  shall  say  to  thee: 
‘The  asses  are  found  which  thou  wentest  to  seek;  and  thy 
father,  thinking  no  more  of  the  asses,  is  concerned  for  you.5 
And  when  thou  shalt  depart  from  thence,  and  go  farther 
on,  and  shalt  come  to  the  oak  of  Thabor,  there  shall 
meet  thee  three  men  going  up  to  God  to  Bethel,  one 
carrying  three  kids,  and  another  three  loaves  of  bread, 
and  another  carrying  a  bottle  of  wine.  And  they  will 
salute  thee,  and  will  give  thee  two  loaves ;  and  thou  shalt 
take  them  at  their  hand.  After  that  thou  shalt  come 
to  the  hill  of  God  where  the  garrison  is;  and  when  thou 
shalt  be  come  there  into  the  city,  thou  shalt  meet  a 
company  of  prophets  coming  down  from  the  high  place, 
with  a  psaltery7  and  a  timbrel,8  and  a  pipe,  and  a  harp 
before  them;  and  they  shall  be  prophesying;  and  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  will  come  upon  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
prophesy  with  them,  and  shalt  be  changed  into  another 
man.  When  therefore  these  signs  shall  happen  to  thee, 
do  whatsoever  thy  hand  shall  find;  for  the  Lord  is  with 
thee.  And  thou  shalt  go  down  before  me  to  Galgal  (for 
I  will  come  down  to  thee)  that  thou  mayest  offer  an 
oblation,  and  sacrifice  victims  of  peace :  seven  days 
shalt  thou  wait  till  I  come  to  thee,  and  I  will  show  thee 
what  thou  art  to  do.55 

And  when  Saul  had  turned  his  back  to  go  from  Samuel, 
God  gave  unto  him  another  heart;  and  all  these  things 
came  to  pass  that  day.  And  they  came  to  the  foresaid 
hill;  and  behold  a  company  of  prophets  met  him,  and 
the  spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  him,  and  he  prophesied 


124 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


in  the  midst  of  them.  And  all  that  had  known  him  yes¬ 
terday  and  the  day  before,  seeing  that  he  was  with  the 
prophets  and  prophesied,  said  to  each  other,  44  What  is 
this  that  hath  happened  to  the  son  of  Cis?  Is  Saul  also 
among  the  prophets?”  Therefore  it  became  a  proverb, 
“Is  Saul  also  among  the  prophets?” 

And  Saul’s  uncle  said  to  him  and  to  his  servant, 
44  Whither  went  you?” 

They  answered,  4kTo  seek  the  asses;  and  not  finding 
them  we  went  to  Samuel.” 

And  his  uncle  said  to  him,  44  Tell  me  what  Samuel 
said  to  thee.” 

And  Saul  said  to  his  uncle,  “He  told  us  that  the 
asses  were  found.”  But  of  the  matter  of  the  kingdom, 
of  which  Samuel  had  spoken  to  him,  he  told  him  not. 

God  Save  the  King:  And  Samuel  called  together 
the  people  of  the  Lord  in  Maspha.9  And  he  said  to  the 
children  of  Israel,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  God  of 
Israel,  4 1  have  brought  up  Israel  out  of  Egypt,  and 
delivered  you  from  the  hand  of  the  Egyptians,  and 
from  the  hand  of  all  the  kings  who  afflicted  you.  But 
you  this  day  have  rejected  your  God,  who  only  hath 
saved  you  out  of  all  your  evils  and  your  tribulations; 
and  you  have  said,  4 4 Nay :  but  set  a  king  over  us.”  Now 
therefore,  stand  before  the  Lord  by  your  tribes,  and  by 
your  families.’  ” 

And  Samuel  brought  to  him  all  the  tribes  of  Israel; 
and  the  lot  fell  on  the  tribe  of  Benjamin.  And  be  brought 
the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  and  the  kindreds  thereof;  and 


KING  SAUL 


125 


the  lot  fell  upon  the  kindred  of  Metri;  and  it  came  to  Saul, 
the  son  of  Cis. 

They  sought  Saul  therefore;  and  he  was  not  found. 
And  they  consulted  the  Lord  whether  he  would  come 
hither;  and  the  Lord  answered,  44 Behold,  he  is  hidden 
at  home.”  And  they  ran  and  fetched  him  thence.  And 
he  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  people;  and  he  was  higher 
than  any  of  the  people,  from  the  shoulders  and  upward. 

And  Samuel  said  to  all  the  people,  44  Surely  you  see 
him  whom  the  Lord  hath  chosen,  that  there  is  none 
like  him  among  all  the  people.” 

And  all  the  people  cried  and  said,  44  God  save  the 
king.”10 

The  Rejection  of  Saul:11  And  Samuel  said  to  Saul, 
“The  Lord  sent  me  to  annoint  thee  king  over  Israel; 
now  therefore  hearken  thou  to  the  voice  of  the  Lord: 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  4 1  have  reckoned  up  all 
that  Amalec  hath  done  to  Israel,  how  he  opposed  them  in 
the  way  when  they  came  up  out  of  Egypt;12  now  there¬ 
fore,  go  and  smite  Amalec,  and  utterly  destroy  all  that 
he  hath;  spare  him  not,  nor  covet  anything  that  is  his; 
but  slay  both  man  and  woman,  child  and  suckling,  ox 
and  sheep,  camel  and  ass.’ 

So  Saul  commanded  the  people,  and  numbered  them 
as  lambs;  two  hundred  thousand  footmen,  and  ten 
thousand  of  the  men  of  Juda.  And  when  he  was  come 
to  the  city  of  Amalec,  he  laid  ambushes  in  the  torrent; 
and  he  smote  Amalec  from  Hevila,  until  thou  comest 
to  Sur,  which  is  over-against  Egypt.  And  he  took  Agag, 


126 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


the  king  of  Amalec,  alive;  but  all  the  common  people, 
he  slew  with  the  edge  of  the  sword.  And  Saul  and  the 
people  spared  Agag  and  the  best  of  the  flocks  of  sheep 
and  of  the  herds,  and  the  garments  and  rams,  and  all 
that  was  beautiful;  and  would  not  destroy  them:  but 
everything  that  was  vile  and  good  for  nothing,  that  they 
destroyed. 

And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Samuel,  saying, 
“It  repenteth  Me  that  I  have  made  Saul  king;  for  he 
hath  forsaken  Me,  and  hath  not  executed  My  command¬ 
ments.”13  And  Samuel  was  grieved,  and  he  cried  unto 
the  Lord  all  night. 

And  when  Samuel  rose  early,  to  go  to  Saul  in  the 
morning,  it  was  told  Samuel  that  Saul  was  come  to 
Carmel  and  had  erected  for  himself  a  triumphant  arch 
and  returning  had  passed  on,  and  gone  down  to  Galgal. 
And  Samuel  came  to  Saul,  and  Saul  was  offering  a 
holocaust  to  the  Lord  out  of  the  choicest  of  the  spoils 
which  he  had  brought  from  Amalec.  And  when  Samuel 
was  come  to  Saul,  Saul  said  to  him,  “Blessed  be  thou  of 
the  Lord;  I  have  fulfilled  the  word  of  the  Lord.” 

And  Samuel  said,  “What  meaneth  then  this  bleating 
of  the  flocks,  which  soundeth  in  my  ears,  and  the  lowing 
of  the  herds  which  I  hear?” 

And  Saul  said,  “They  have  brought  them  from 
Amalec;  for  the  people  spared  the  best  of  the  sheep  and 
of  the  herds,  that  they  might  be  sacrificed  to  the  Lord, 
thy  God;  but  the  rest  we  have  slain.” 

And  Samuel  said  to  Saul,  “Suffer  me,  and  I  will  tell 
thee  what  the  Lord  hath  said  to  me  this  night.” 


KING  SAUL 


127 


And  lie  said  to  him,  “ Speak.” 

And  Samuel  said,  “When  thou  wast  a  little  one  in  thy 
own  eyes,  wast  thou  not  made  the  head  of  the  tribes  of 
Israel?  And  the  Lord  annointed  thee  to  be  king  over 
Israel.  And  the  Lord  sent  thee  on  the  way  and  said, 
‘Go,  and  kill  the  sinners  of  Amalec;  and  thou  shalt  fight 
against  them  until  thou  hast  utterly  destroyed  them/ 
Why  then  didst  thou  not  hearken  to  the  voice  of  the 
Lord,  but  hast  turned  to  the  prey,  and  hast  done  evil  in 
the  eyes  of  the  Lord?” 

And  Saul  said  to  Samuel,  “Yea,  I  have  hearkened 
to  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  and  have  walked  in  the  way 
by  which  the  Lord  sent  me,  and  have  brought  Agag, 
the  king  of  Amalec,  and  Amalec  I  have  slain.  But  the 
people  took  the  spoils,  sheep  and  oxen,  as  the  first  fruits 
of  those  things  that  were  slain,  to  offer  sacrifice  to  the 
Lord  their  God  in  Galgal.” 

And  Samuel  said,  “Doth  the  Lord  desire  holocausts 
and  victims,  and  not  rather  that  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
should  be  obeyed?  For  obedience  is  better  than  sacrifices; 
and  to  hearken,  better  than  the  fat  of  rams:  because  it 
is  like  the  sin  of  witchcraft  to  rebel;  and  like  the  crime 
of  idolatry,  to  refuse  to  obey.  Forasmuch  therefore,  as 
thou  hast  rejected  the  word  of  the  Lord,  the  Lord  hath 
also  rejected  thee  from  being  king.” 

And  Saul  said  to  Samuel,  “I  have  sinned  because  I 
have  transgressed  the  commandment  of  the  Lord,  and 
thy  word,  fearing  the  people  and  obeying  their  voice. 
But  now,  hear,  I  beseech  thee,  my  sin,  and  return  with 
me  that  I  may  adore  the  Lord.” 


128 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Samuel  said  to  Saul,  44 1  will  not  return  with  thee, 
because  thou  hast  rejected  the  word  of  the  Lord;  and 
the  Lord  hath  rejected  thee  from  being  king  over 
Israel.”  And  Samuel  turned  about  to  go  away;  but 
Saul  laid  hold  upon  the  skirt  of  his  mantle;  and  it  rent. 


Samuel  Announcing  to  Saul  His  Rejection  by  God. 


And  Samuel  said  to  him,  “The  Lord  hath  rent  the  king¬ 
dom  of  Israel  from  thee  this  day,  and  hath  given  it  to 
thy  neighbor  who  is  better  than  thee.” 

And  Samuel  departed  to  Ramatha:  but  Saul  went 
up  to  his  house  in  Gabaa.  And  Samuel  saw  Saul  no 
more  till  the  day  of  his  death.  Nevertheless,  Samuel 
mourned  for  Saul,  because  the  Lord  repented  that  He 
had  made  him  king  over  Israel. 


KING  SAUL 


129 


The  Annointing  of  David:  And  the  Lord  said  to 
Samuel,  “How  long  will  thou  mourn  for  Saul,  whom  I 
have  rejected  from  reigning  over  Israel?  Fill  thy  horn 
with  oil,  and  come  that  I  may  send  thee  to  Isai,  the 
Bethlehemite:14  for  I  have  provided  Me  a  king  among 
his  sons.” 

And  Samuel  said,  “How  shall  I  go,  for  Saul  will  hear 
of  it,  and  he  will  kill  me?” 

And  the  Lord  said,  “Thou  shalt  take  with  thee  a 
calf  of  the  herd,  and  thou  shalt  say,  4 1  am  come  to  sacri¬ 
fice  to  the  Lord/  And  thou  shalt  call  Isai  to  the  sacrifice, 
and  I  will  show  thee  what  thou  art  to  do,  and  thou  shalt 
annoint  him  whom  I  shall  show  to  thee.” 

Then  Samuel  did  as  the  Lord  had  said  to  him.  And 
he  came  to  Bethlehem.  And  the  ancients  of  the  city 
wondered;  and  meeting  him,  they  said,  “Is  thy  coming 
hither  peaceable?” 

And  he  said,  “It  is  peaceable:  I  am  come  to  offer 
sacrifice  to  the  Lord;  be  ye  sanctified,  and  come  with 
me  to  the  sacrifice.” 

And  he  sanctified  Isai  and  his  sons ;  and  he  called  them 
to  the  sacrifice.  And  when  they  were  come  in,  he  saw 
Eliab,15  and  he  said,  44  Is  the  Lord’s  annointed  before 
Him?” 

And  the  Lord  said,  4  4  Look  not  on  his  countenance, 
nor  on  the  height  of  his  stature,  because  I  have  rejected 
him;  nor  do  I  judge  according  to  the  look  of  man: for 
man  seeth  those  things  that  appear,  but  the  Lord  behold- 
eth  the  heart.” 

Then  Isai  called  Abinadab,  and  brought  him  before 
Samuel.  And  he  said, 44  Neither  hath  the  Lord  chosen  this.  ” 


130 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Isai  brought  in  Samma;  and  he  said  of  him, 
“Neither  hath  the  Lord  chosen  this.” 

Isai  therefore  brought  his  seven  sons  before  Samuel. 
And  Samuel  said  to  Isai,  “The  Lord  hath  not  chosen 
any  of  these.” 


The  Annointing  of  David. 


And  Samuel  said  to  Isai,  “Are  here  all  thy  sons?” 

He  answered,  “There  remaineth  yet  a  young  one, 
who  keepeth  the  sheep.” 

And  Samuel  said  to  Isai,  “Send  and  fetch  him;  for 
we  will  not  sit  down  till  he  come  hither.”  He  sent  there¬ 
fore,  and  brought  him.  Now  he  was  ruddy  and  beautiful 
to  behold,  and  of  a  comely  face. 

And  the  Lord  said,  “Arise  and  annoint  him,  for  this 
is  he.”  Then  Samuel  took  the  horn  of  oil,  and  annointed 


KING  SAUL 


131 


him  in  the  midst  of  his  brethren.  And  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  came  upon  David  from  that  day  forward.  And 
Samuel  rose  up,  and  went  to  Ramatha. 

David  as  Harper  to  Saul:  Now  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  departed  from  Saul,  and  an  evil  spirit  from  the 


David  Playing  Before  Saul. 

Lord16  troubled  him.  And  the  servants  of  Saul  said  to 
him,  “Behold,  now  an  evil  spirit  from  God  troubleth 
thee.  ’Let  our  lord  give  orders,  and  thy  servants  who 
are  before  thee,  will  seek  out  a  man  skilful  in  playing 
on  the  harp,  that  when  the  evil  spirit  from  the  Lord  is 
upon  thee,  he  may  play  with  his  hand,  and  thou  mayest 
hear  it  more  easily.” 

And  Saul  said  to  his  servants,  “Provide  me  then 
some  man  that  can  play  well,  and  bring  him  to  me.” 


1 32 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  one  of  the  servants  answering  said,  “Behold  I 
have  seen  a  son  of  Isai,  the  Bethlehemite,  a  skilful  player,17 
and  one  of  great  strength,18  and  a  man  fit  for  war,  and 
prudent  in  his  words,  and  a  comely  person;  and  the  Lord 
is  with  him.” 

And  Saul  sent  messengers  to  Isai,  saying,  “Send  me 
David,  thy  son,  who  is  in  the  pastures.” 

And  Isai  took  an  ass  laden  with  bread,  and  a  bottle 
of  wine,  and  a  kid  of  the  flock,  and  sent  them  by  the 
hand  of  David,  his  son,  to  Saul.  And  David  came  to 
Saul  and  stood  before  him.  And  he  loved  him  exceed¬ 
ingly,  and  made  him  his  armour  bearer. 

And  Saul  sent  to  Isai  saying,  “Let  David  stand  before 
me;19  for  he  hath  found  favor  in  my  sight.” 

So  whenever  the  evil  spirit  from  the  Lord  was  upon 
Saul,  David  took  his  harp  and  played  with  his  hand,  and 
Saul  was  refreshed  and  was  better;  for  the  evil  spirit 
departed  from  him. 

David  and  Goliath:  Now  the  Philistines,  having 
gathered  together  their  troops  to  battle,  Saul  and  the 
children  of  Israel  set  the  army  in  array  to  fight  against 
them.  And  the  Philistines  stood  on  a  mountain  on  the 
one  side,  and  Israel  stood  on  a  mountain  on  the  other 
side:  and  there  was  a  valley  between  them.  And  there 
went  out  a  man,  base-born,  from  the  camp  of  the  Phil¬ 
istines,  named  Goliath,  of  Gath,  whose  height  was  six 
cubits  and  a  span;20  and  he  had  a  helmet  of  brass  upon 
his  head,  and  he  was  clothed  with  a  coat  of  mail  with 
scales;  and  the  weight  of  his  coat  of  mail  was  five  thous- 


KING  SAUL 


133 


and  sides  of  brass;21  and  he  had  greaves  of  brass  on  his 
legs,  and  a  buckler  of  brass  covered  his  shoulders;  and 
the  staff  of  his  spear  was  like  a  weaver’s  beam;  and 
the  head  of  his  spear  weighed  six  hundred  sides  of  iron:22 
and  his  armour-bearer  went  before  him.  And  standing, 
he  cried  out  to  the  bands  of  Israel,  and  said  to  them, 
“Why  are  you  come  out  prepared  to  fight?  Am  not  I  a 
Philistine  and  you  the  servants  of  Saul?  Choose  out  a 
man  of  you,  and  let  him  come  down  and  fight  hand  to 
hand.  If  he  be  able  to  fight  with  me  and  kill  me,  we 
will  be  servants  to  you;  but  if  I  prevail  against  him,  and 
kill  him,  you  shall  be  servants,  and  serve  us.”  And  the 
Philistine  said,  “I  have  defied  the  bands  of  Israel  this 
day;  give  me  a  man,  and  let  him  fight  with  me  hand 
to  hand.”  And  Saul,  and  all  the  Israelites,  hearing  these 
words  of  the  Philistine,  were  dismayed,  and  greatly 
afraid.  And  the  Philistine  came  out  morning  and  even¬ 
ing,  and  presented  himself  forty  days. 

Now  David,  the  son  of  Isai,  had  returned  from  Saul, 
and  had  gone  back  to  feed  his  father’s  flock  at  Bethlehem; 
but  his  three  eldest  brothers,  Eliab,  and  Abinadab  and 
Samma,  had  followed  Saul  to  battle. 

And  Isai  said  to  David  his  son,  “Take  for  thy  brethren 
an  ephi  of  frumenty,  and  these  ten  loaves,  and  run  to  the 
camp  of  thy  brethren;  and  carry  these  ten  little  cheeses 
to  the  tribune;  and  go  see  thy  brethren,  if  they  are  well; 
and  learn  with  whom  they  are  placed.” 

David  therefore  arose  in  the  morning,  and  gave  the 
charge  of  the  flock  to  the  keeper,  and  went  away  loaded 
as  Isai  had  commanded  him.  And  he  came  to  the  place 


134 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


of  Magala,  and  to  the  army  which  was  going  out  to  fight, 
and  shouted  for  the  battle;  for  Israel  had  put  themselves 
in  array;  and  the  Philistines,  who  stood  against  them, 
were  prepared.  And  David,  leaving  the  vessels  which 
he  had  brought  under  the  care  of  the  keeper  of  the  bag¬ 
gage,  ran  to  the  place  of  the  battle,  and  asked  if  all 
things  went  well  with  his  brethren.  And  as  he  talked 
with  them,  that  base-born  man,  whose  name  was  Goliath, 
the  Philistine  of  Gath,  showed  himself,  coming  up  from 
the  camp  of  the  Philistines.  And  he  spoke  according  to 
the  same  words;  and  David  heard  them.  And  all  the 
Israelites,  when  they  saw  the  man,  fled  from  him,  fearing 
him  exceedingly. 

And  some  one  of  Israel  said,  “Have  you  seen  this  man 
that  is  come  up,  for  he  is  come  up  to  defy  Israel.  And 
the  man  that  will  slay  him,  the  king  will  enrich  with 
great  riches,  and  will  give  him  his  daughter,  and  will 
make  his  father’s  house  free  from  tribute  in  Israel.” 

And  David  spoke  to  the  men  that  stood  by  him 
saying,  44  What  shall  be  given  to  the  man  that  shall  kill 
this  Philistine,  and  shall  take  away  the  reproach  from 
Israel?  For  who  is  this  uncircumcised  Philistine,  that 
he  should  defy  the  armies  of  the  living  God?” 

And  the  people  answered  him  the  same  words,  saying, 
44  These  things  shall  be  given  to  the  man  that  shall  slay 
him.” 

Now  when  Eliab,  his  eldest  brother,  heard  this  when 
he  was  speaking  with  others,  he  was  angry  with  David 
and  said,  4kWhy  earnest  thou  hither?  And  why  didst 
thou  leave  those  few  sheep  in  the  desert?  I  know  thy 


KING  SAUL 


135 


pride  and  the  wickedness  of  thy  heart,  that  thou  art  come 
down  to  see  the  battle.” 

And  David  said,  “What  have  I  done?  Is  there  not 
cause  to  speak?”  And  he  turned  a  little  aside  from  him 
to  another,  and  said 
the  same  word.  And 
the  people  answered 
him  as  before. 

And  the  words 
which  David  spoke 
were  heard,  and 
were  rehearsed  be¬ 
fore  Saul.  And 
when  he  was 
brought  to  him,  he 
said  to  him,  “Let 
not  any  man’s  heart 
be  dismayed.  I  thy 
servant,  will  go  and 
fight  against  this 
Philistine.” 

And  Saul  said  to 
David,  “Thou  are 
not  able  to  with¬ 
stand  this  Philis-  _ 

.  David  Rescuing  a  Lamb. 

tine,  nor  to  fight 

against  him;  for  thou  art  but  a  boy,  but  he  is  a  warrior 
from  his  youth.” 

And  David  said  to  Saul,  “Thy  servant  kept  his 
father’s  sheep,  and  there  came  a  lion  or  a  bear  and  took 


136 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


a  ram  out  of  the  midst  of  the  flock;  and  I  pursued  after 
them,  and  struck  them,  and  delivered  it  out  of  their 
mouth;  and  they  rose  up  against  me,  and  I  caught  them 
by  the  throat;  and  I  strangled  and  killed  them.  For  I, 
thy  servant,  have  killed  both  a  lion  and  a  bear.  And  this 
uncircumcised  Philistine  shall  be  also  as  one  of  them. 
I  will  go  now  and  take  away  the  reproach  of  the  people. 
For  who  is  this  uncircumcised  Philistine  who  hath  dared 
to  curse  the  army  of  the  living  God?”  And  David  said, 
44  The  Lord  who  delivered  me  out  of  the  paw  of  the  lion, 
and  out  of  the  paw  of  the  bear,  He  will  deliver  me  out  of 
the  hand  of  this  Philistine.” 

And  Saul  said  to  David,  44  Go,  and  the  Lord  be  with 
thee.” 

And  Saul  clothed  David  with  his  garments,  and  put 
a  helmet  of  brass  upon  his  head,  and  armed  him  with  a 
coat  of  mail.  And  David,  having  girded  his  sword  upon 
his  armour,  began  to  try  if  he  could  walk  in  armour;  for 
he  was  not  accustomed  to  it.  And  he  said  to  Saul,  “I 
cannot  go  thus,  for  I  am  not  used  to  it.”  And  he  laid 
them  off.  And  he  took  his  staff  which  he  had  always 
in  his  hands,  and  chose  him  five  smooth  stones  out  of 
the  brook,  and  put  them  into  the  shepherd’s  scrip,23 
which  he  had  with  him,  and  he  took  a  sling  in  his  hand, 
and  went  forth  against  the  Philistine. 

And  the  Philistine  came  on,  and  drew  nigh  against 
David;  and  his  armour  bearer  before  him.  And  when 
the  Philistine  looked,  and  beheld  David,  he  despised 
him;  for  he  was  a  young  man,  ruddy,  and  of  a  comely 
countenance. 


KING  SAUL 


137 


And  the  Philistine  said  to  David,  “Am  I  a  dog,  that 
thou  contest  to  me  with  a  staff?”  And  the  Philistine 
cursed  David  by  his  gods.  And  he  said  to  David,  4 4  Come 
to  me,  and  I  will  give  thy  flesh  to  the  birds  of  the  air  and 
the  beasts  of  the  earth.” 

And  David  said  to  the  Philistine,  44  Thou  contest  to 
me  with  sword,  and  with  a  spear,  and  with  a  shield;  but 
I  come  to  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  God 


With  Permission  W.  L.  Dodge 


David  and  Goliath. 

of  the  armies  of  Israel,  which  thou  hast  defied.  This  day, 
and  the  Lord  will  deliver  thee  into  my  hand;  and  I  will 
slay  thee,  and  take  away  thy  head  from  thee;  and  I  will 
give  the  carcasses  of  the  army  of  the  Philistines  this  day 
to  the  birds  of  the  air,  and  to  the  beasts  of  the  earth; 
that  all  the  earth  may  know  that  there  is  a  God  in  Israel. 
And  all  this  assembly  shall  know  that  the  Lord  saveth 
not  with  the  sword  and  spear;  for  it  is  His  battle;  and 
He  will  deliver  you  into  our  hands.” 

And  when  the  Philistine  arose  and  was  come  in  and 
drew  nigh  to  meet  David,  David  made  haste,  and  ran 


138 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


to  the  fight  to  meet  the  Philistine.  And  he  put  his  hand 
into  his  scrip,  and  took  a  stone,  and  cast  it  with  the 
sling,  and  fetching  it  about,  struck  the  Philistine  in  the 
forehead;  and  the  stone  was  fixed  in  his  forehead;  and 
he  fell  on  his  face  upon  the  earth. 

And  David  prevailed  over  the  Philistine,  with  a  sling 
and  a  stone;  and  he  struck  and  slew  the  Philistine.  And 
as  David  had  no  sword  in  his  hand,  he  ran  and  stood  over 
the  Philistine,  and  took  his  sword,  and  drew  it  out  of 
the  sheath,  and  slew  him,  and  cut  off  his  head. 

And  the  Philistines,  seeing  that  their  champion 
was  dead  fled  away.  And  the  men  of  Israel  and  Juda, 
rising  up,  shouted  and  pursued  after  the  Philistines  till 
they  came  to  the  valley  and  to  the  gates  of  Accaron ;  and 
there  fell  many  wounded  of  the  Philistines  in  the  way. 

And  the  children  of  Israel,  returning  after  they  had 
pursued  the  Philistines,  fell  upon  their  camp.  And 
David,  taking  the  head  of  the  Philistine,  brought  it  to 
Jerusalem;  but  his  armour  he  put  in  his  tent. 

How  the  Praise  of  Some  Women  Nearly  Cost 
David  His  Life:  Now  when  David  returned,  after  he 
slew  the  Philistine,  the  women  came  out  of  all  the  cities 
of  Israel,  singing  and  dancing,  to  meet  King  Saul,  with 
timbrels  of  joy  and  cornets.  And  the  women  sang  as 
they  played;  and  they  said,  “Saul  slew  his  thousands, 
and  David  his  ten  thousands.” 

And  Saul  was  exceedingly  angry;  and  this  word  was 
displeasing  to  his  eyes;  and  he  said,  “They  have  given 
David  ten  thousands,  and  to  me  they  have  given  but  a 


KING  SAUL 


139 


thousand;  what  can  he  have  more  but  the  kingdom?” 
And  Saul  did  not  look  on  David  with  a  good  eye  from  that 
day  forward. 

And  Saul  spoke  to  Jonathan,  his  son,  and  to  all  his 
servants,  that  they  should  kill  David.  But  Jonathan, 
the  son  of  Saul,  loved  David  exceedingly,  and  he  told 
David,  saying,  “Saul,  my  father,  seeketh  to  kill  thee; 


The  Women  Rejoicing  in  David’s  Victory. 


wherefore  look  to  thyself,  I  beseech  thee,  in  the  morning; 
and  thou  shalt  abide  in  a  secret  place,  and  shalt  be  hid. 
And  I  will  go  out  and  stand  beside  my  father  in  the  field 
where  thou  art;  and  I  will  speak  of  thee  to  my  father; 
and  whatever  I  shall  see,  I  shall  tell  thee.” 

And  Jonathan  spoke  good  things  of  David  to  Saul, 
his  father,  and  said  to  him,  “  Sin  not,  O  king,  against  thy 
servant  David,  because  he  hath  not  sinned  against  thee, 
and  his  works  are  very  good  towards  thee.  And  he  put 


140 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


his  life  in  his  hand,  and  slew  the  Philistine,  and  the  Lord 
wrought  great  salvation  for  all  Israel.  Thou  s  a  west  it 
and  didst  rejoice.  Why  therefore  wilt  thou  sin  against 
innocent  blood,  by  killing  David,  who  is  without  fault  ?” 

And  when  Saul  heard  this,  he  was  appeased  with  the 
words  of  Jonathan,  and  swore,  44  As  the  Lord  liveth,  he 
shall  not  be  slain.” 

Then  Jonathan  called  David  and  told  him  all  these 
words.  And  Jonathan  brought  in  David  to  Saul;  and 
he  was  before  him  as  he  had  been  yesterday  and  the 
day  before. 

David  and  Jonathan:  And  war  began  again;  and 
David  went  out  and  fought  against  the  Philistines  and 
defeated  them  with  great  slaughter;  and  they  fled  from 
his  face. 

And  the  evil  spirit  from  the  Lord  came  upon  Saul;  and 
he  sat  in  his  house,  and  held  a  spear  in  his  hand;  and 
David  played  with  his  hand.  And  Saul  endeavored  to 
nail  David  to  the  wall  with  his  spear.  And  David  slipped 
away  out  of  the  presence  of  Saul;  and  the  spear  missed 
him,  and  was  fastened  in  the  wall;  and  David  fled  and 
escaped. 

And  David  came  and  said  to  Jonathan,  44  What  have 
I  done;  what  is  my  iniquity;  and  what  is  my  sin  against 
thy  father,  that  he  seeketh  my  life?” 

And  he  said  to  him,  4kGod  forbid;  thou  shalt  not  die, 
for  my  father  will  do  nothing  great  or  little,  without 
first  telling  me.  Hath  then  my  father  hid  this  word  only 
from  me?  No;  this  shall  not  be.”  And  he  swore  again 
to  David. 


KING  SAUL 


141 


And  David  said,  “Thy  father  certainly  knoweth  that 
I  have  found  grace  in  thy  sight;  and  he  will  say,  ‘Let 
not  Jonathan  know  this,  lest  he  be  grieved.’  But  truly 
as  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  thy  soul  liveth,  there  is  but 
one  step,  as  it  were,  between  me  and  death.” 

And  Jonathan  said  to  David,  “  Whatsoever  thy  soul 
shall  say  to  me,  I  will  do  for  thee.”24 

And  David  said  to  Jonathan,  “  Behold,  tomorrow  is 
the  new  moon,  and  I,  according  to  custom,  am  wont  to 
sit  beside  the  king  to  eat;  let  me  go  then,  that  I  may 
be  hid  in  the  field  till  the  evening  of  the  third  day:  if 
thy  father  look  and  inquire  for  me,  thou  shalt  answer 
him,  ‘David  asked  me  that  he  might  run  to  Bethlehem, 
his  own  city,  because  there  are  solemn  sacrifices  there  for 
all  his  tribe;’  if  he  shall  say,  ‘It  is  well,’  thy  servant  shall 
have  peace;  but  if  he  be  angry,  know  that  his  malice  is 
come  to  its  height.  Deal  mercifully  with  thy  servant, 
for  thou  hast  brought  me,  thy  servant,  into  a  covenant 
of  the  Lord  with  thee;  but  if  there  be  any  iniquity  in  me, 
do  thou  kill  me,  and  bring  me  not  to  thy  father.” 

And  Jonathan  said,  “Far  be  this  from  thee;  for  if 
I  should  certainly  know  that  evil  is  determined  by  my 
father  against  thee,  I  could  do  no  otherwise  than  tell  thee.” 

And  David  answered  Jonathan,  “Who  shall  bring 
me  word,  if  thy  father  should  answer  thee  harshly  con¬ 
cerning  me?” 

And  Jonathan  said  to  David,  “Come  and  let  us  go 
out  into  the  field.” 

And  when  they  were  both  of  them  gone  out  into  the 
field,  Jonathan  said  to  David,  “O  Lord  God  of  Israel;  if 


142 


THE*  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


I  shall  discover  my  father’s  mind,  tomorrow  or  the  day 
after,  and  there  be  anything  good  for  David,  and  I  send 
not  immediately  to  thee,  and  make  it  known  to  thee,  may 
the  Lord  do  so  and  so  to  Jonathan,  and  add  still  more. 

But  if  my  father 
shall  continue  in 
malice  against  thee, 
I  will  discover  it  to 
thy  ear,  and  will 
send  thee  away  that 
thou  mayest  go  in 
peace ;  and  the  Lord 
be  with  thee,  as  He 
hath  been  with  my 
father.  And  if  I 
live,  thou  shall  show 
me  the  kindness  of 
the  Lord;  but  if  I 
die,  thou  shalt  not 
take  away  thy  kind¬ 
ness  from  my  house 
forever.” 

And  Jonathan 
David  and  Jonathan.  SWOre  again  to 

David,  because  he  loved  him;  for  he  loved  him  as  his  own 
soul.  And  Jonathan  said  to  him,  ‘‘Tomorrow  is  the  new 
moon,  and  thou  will  be  missed,  for  thy  seat  will  be  empty 
till  after  tomorrow.  So  thou  shalt  go  down  quickly,  and 
come  to  the  place  where  thou  must  be  hid ;  and  thou  shalt 
remain  beside  the  stone,  which  is  called  Ezel.  And  I  will 


KING  SAUL 


143 


shoot  three  arrows  near  it;  and  I  will  shoot  as  if  exercising 
myself  at  a  mark.  And  I  will  send  a  boy,  saying  to  him, 
4  Go  and  fetch  me  the  arrows.’  If  I  shall  say  to  the  boy, 
‘Behold  the  arrows  are  on  this  side,  go  and  take  them 
up,’  come  thou  to  me,  because  there  is  peace  to  thee,  and 
there  is  no  evil,  as  the  Lord  liveth.  But  if  I  shall  speak 
thus  to  the  boy,  ‘Behold,  the  arrows  are  beyond,’  go  in 
peace,  for  the  Lord  hath  sent  thee  away.  And  concerning 
the  word  which  I  and  thou  have  spoken,  the  Lord  be 
between  thee  and  me  forever.” 

So  David  was  hid  in  the  field;  and  the  moon  came; 
and  the  king  sat  down  to  eat  bread.  And  when  the 
king  sat  down  upon  his  chair,  which  was  beside  the  wall, 
Jonathan  arose,  and  Abner  sat  by  Saul’s  side,  and  David’s 
place  appeared  empty.  And  Saul  said  nothing  that  day, 
for  he  thought  that  something  might  have  happened  to 
him. 

And  when  the  second  day  after  the  new  moon  was 
come,  David’s  place  appeared  empty  again.  And  Saul 
said  to  Jonathan,  “Why  cometh  not  the  son  of  Isai  to 
meat,  neither  yesterday  nor  today.” 

And  Jonathan  answered  Saul,  “He  asked  leave  of  me 
earnestly  to  go  to  Bethlehem;  for  there  is  a  solemn 
sacrifice  in  the  city.” 

Then  Saul  being  angry  with  Jonathan  said  to  him, 
“Do  I  not  know  that  thou  lovest  the  son  of  Isai  to  thy 
own  confusion?  For  as  long  as  the  son  of  Isai  liveth  upon 
earth,  thou  shalt  not  be  established,  nor  thy  kingdom. 
Therefore  now  presently  send,  and  fetch  him  to  me;  for 
he  is  the  son  of  death.” 


144 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Jonathan  answering  Saul,  his  father,  said,  “Why 
shall  he  die?  What  hath  he  done?’’ 

And  Saul  caught  up  a  spear  to  strike  him.  And 
Jonathan  understood  that  it  was  determined  by  his 
father  to  kill  David.  So  Jonathan  arose  up  from  the 
table  in  great  anger,  and  did  not  eat  bread  on  the  second 
day  after  the  new  moon;  for  he  was  grieved  for  David, 
because  his  father  had  put  him  to  confusion. 

And  when  the  morning  was  come,  Jonathan  went  into 
the  field,  according  to  the  appointment  with  David;  and 
a  little  boy  with  him.  And  he  said  to  his  boy,  “Go  and 
fetch  me  the  arrows  which  I  shoot.”  And  when  the 
boy  ran,  he  shot  another  arrow  beyond  the  boy.  The 
boy  therefore  came  to  the, place  of  the  arrow  which 
Jonathan  had  shot;  and  Jonathan  cried  after  the  boy, 
and  said,  “  Behold  the  arrow  is  there  further  beyond  thee.” 
And  Jonathan  cried  again  after  the  boy,  saying,  “Make 
haste  speedily;  stand  not.”  And  Jonathan’s  boy 
gathered  up  the  arrows  and  brought  them  to  his  master. 
And  he  knew  not  at  all  what  was  doing;  for  only  Jonathan 
and  David  knew  the  matter.  Jonathan  therefore  gave 
his  arms  to  the  boy,  and  said  to  him,  “Go  and  carry 
them  into  the  city.” 

And  when  the  boy  was  gone,  David  rose  out  of  his 
place,  which  was  towards  the  south,  and  falling  on  his 
face  to  the  ground,  adored  thrice.  And  kissing  one 
another,  they  wept  together;  but  David  more. 

And  Jonathan  said  to  David,  “Go  in  peace,  and  let 
all  stand  that  we  have  sworn,  both  of  us,  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  saying,  ‘The  Lord  be  between  me  and  thee, 
and  between  my  seed  and  thy  seed  forever.’  ” 


KING  SAUL 


145 


And  David  arose  and  departed;  and  Jonathan  went 
into  the  citv. 

t j 

The  Adventure  of  the  Spear  and  the  Cup  of 
Water:  David,  therefore,  going  from  thence,  fled  to  the 
cave  of  Odollam.  And  when  his  brethren  and  all  his 
father’s  house  had  heard  of  it,  they  went  down  to  him 
thither.  And  all  that  were  in  distress,  and  oppressed 
with  debt,  and  under  affliction  of  mind,  gathered  them¬ 
selves  unto  him;  and  he  became  their  prince;  and  there 
were  with  him  about  four  hundred  men. 

And  David  abode  in  the  desert  in  strongholds.  And 
he  remained  in  a  mountain  of  the  desert  of  Ziph,  in  a 
woody  hill.  And  Saul  sought  him  always;  but  the  Lord 
delivered  him  not  into  his  hands. 

And  the  men  of  Ziph  came  to  Saul  in  Gabaa,  saying, 
“Behold  David  is  hid  in  the  hill  of  Hachila,  which  is  over 
against  the  wilderness.” 

.And  Saul  arose,  and  went  down  to  the  wilderness  of 
Ziph,  having  with  him  three  thousand  of  the  chosen  men 
of  Israel,  to  seek  David  in  the  wilderness  of  Ziph.  And 
Saul  camped  in  Gabaa  Hachila,  which  was  over  against 
the  wilderness  in  the  way.  And  David  abode  in  the 
wilderness. 

And  seeing  that  Saul  was  come  after  him  in  the 
wilderness,  David  sent  spies  and  learned  that  he  was 
certainly  come  thither.  And  David  arose  secretly  and  came 
to  the  place  where  Saul  was.  And  when  he  beheld  the 
place  wherein  Saul  slept,  and  Abner,  the  captain  of  the 
army,  and  the  rest  of  the  multitude  round  about  him, 


146 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


David  said  “Who  will  go  down  with  me  to  Saul  into  the 
camp: 

And  Abisai20  said,  “I  will  go  with  thee.” 

So  David  and  Abisai  came  to  the  people  by  night, 
and  found  Saul  lying  and  sleeping  in  the  tent;  and  his 
spear  fixed  in  the  ground  at  his  head;26  and  Abner  and 
the  people  sleeping  round  about  him. 


David  in  the  Tent  of  Saul. 


And  Abisai  said  to  David,  “God  hath  shut  up  thy 
enemy  this  day  into  thy  hands.  Now  then  I  will  run  him 
through  with  my  spear  even  to  the  earth  at  once,  and 
there  shall  be  no  need  of  a  second  time.” 

And  David  said  to  Abisai,  “Kill  him  not;  for  who 
shall  put  forth  his  hand  against  the  Lord’s  annointed, 
and  shall  be  guiltless?”  And  David  said,  “As  the  Lord 
liveth,  unless  the  Lord  shall  strike  him,  or  his  day  shall 
come  to  die,  or  he  shall  go  down  to  battle  and  perish,  the 


KING  SAUL 


147 


Lord  be  merciful  to  me,  that  I  extend  not  my  hand  upon 
the  Lord’s  annointed.  But  now,  take  the  spear  which 
is  at  his  head,  and  the  cup  of  water;  and  let  us  go/’ 

So  David  took  the  spear  and  the  cup  of  water  which 
was  at  Saul’s  head;  and  they  went  away;  and  no  man 
saw  it,  or  knew  it,  or  awaked,  but  they  were  all  asleep, 
for  a  deep  sleep  from  the  Lord  had  fallen  upon  them. 

And  when  David  was  gone  over  to  the  other  side,  and 
stood  on  the  top  of  the  hill  afar  off,  and  a  good  space  was 
between  them,  David  cried  to  the  people,  and  to  Abner, 
saying,  “Wilt  thou  not  answer,  Abner?” 

And  Abner  answering  said,  “Who  art  thou  that 
criest,  and  disturbest  the  king?” 

And  David  said  to  Abner,  “Art  thou  not  a  man?  And 
who  is  like  to  thee  in  Israel?  Why  then  hast  thou  not 
kept  thy  lord,  the  king;  for  there  came  one  of  the  people 
in  to  kill  the  king,  thy  lord.  This  thing  is  not  good  that 
thou  hast  done:  as  the  Lord  liveth,  you  are  the  sons 
of  death  who  have  not  kept  your  master,  the  Lord’s 
annointed.  And  now,  where  is  the  king’s  spear,  and  the 
cup  of  water  which  was  at  his  head?” 

And  Saul  knew  David’s  voice;  and  said,  “Is  this  thy 
voice,  my  son  David?” 

And  David  said,  “It  is  my  voice,  my  lord  the  king.” 
And  he  said,  “  Wherefore  doth  my  lord  persecute  his 
servant?  What  have  I  done,  or  what  evil  is  there  in  my 
hand?” 

And  Saul  said,  “I  have  sinned;  return,  my  son 
David,  for  I  will  no  more  do  thee  harm,  because  my  life 
hath  been  precious  in  thy  eyes  this  day:  for  it  appeareth 


148 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


that  I  have  done  foolishly,  and  have  been  ignorant  in 
very  many  things.” 

And  David  answering,  said,  ‘‘Behold  the  king’s  spear; 
let  one  of  the  king’s  servants  come  over  and  fetch  it; 
and  the  Lord  will  reward  every  one  according  to  his 
justice  and  his  faithfulness;  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered 
thee  this  day  into  my  hand,  and  I  would  not  put  forth 
my  hand  against  the  Lord’s  annointed.  And  as  thy  life 
hath  been  much  set  by  this  day  in  my  eyes,  so  let  my 
life  be  much  set  by  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord;  and  let 
Him  deliver  me  from  all  distress.” 

Then  Saul  said  to  David,  “Blessed  art  thou  my  son 
David;  and  truly,  doing  thou  shalt  do,  and  prevailing 
thou  shalt  prevail.” 

And  David  went  on  his  way,  and  Saul  returned  to  his 
place. 

Death  of  Saul  and  Jonathan:  And  the  Philistines 
fought  against  Israel;  and  all  the  men  of  Israel  fled  from 
before  the  Philistines,  and  fell  down  slain  in  Mount  Gelboe. 
And  the  Philistines  fell  upon  Saul;  and  they  slew  Jon¬ 
athan.  And  the  whole  weight  of  the  battle  was  turned 
upon  Saul;  and  the  archers  overtook  him;  and  he  was 
grievously  wounded  by  the  archers. 

Then  Saul  said  to  his  armour  bearer,  “Draw  thy 
sword,  and  kill  me,  lest  these  uncircumcised  come  and 
slay  me,  and  mock  at  me.”  And  his  armour  bearer 
would  not,  for  he  was  struck  with  exceedingly  great  fear. 

Then  Saul  took  his  sword,  and  fell  upon  it.27  And 
when  his  armour  bearer  saw  this,  to  wit,  that  Saul  was 


KING  SAUL 


149 


dead,  he  also  fell  upon  his  sword  and  died  with  him. 
So  Saul  died,  and  his  three  sons,  and  his  armour  bearer, 
and  all  his  men  that  same  day  together. 

And  David,  when  he  heard  of  what  had  come  to 
pass,  made  this  kind  of  lament  over  Saul,  and  over 
Jonathan,  his  son: 

“Consider,  O  Israel,  for  them  that  are  dead;  wounded 
on  the  high  places. 

“The  illustrious  of  Israel  are  slain  up  on  the  moun¬ 
tains  ;  how  are  the  valiant  fallen ! 

“Tell  it  not  in  Gath;  publish  it  not  in  the  streets  of 
Aschalon;  lest  the  daughters  of  the  Philistines  rejoice; 
lest  the  daughters  of  the  uncircumcised  triumph. 

“Ye  mountains  of  Gelboe!  Let  neither  dew  nor 
rain  come  upon  you;  neither  be  they  fields  of  first  fruits: 
for  there  was  cast  away  the  shield  of  the  valiant:  the 
shield  of  Saul  as  though  he  had  not  been  annointed  with 
oil. 

“From  the  blood  of  the  slain,  from  the  fat  of  the 
valiant,  the  arrow  of  Jonathan  never  turned  back,  and  the 
sword  of  Saul  did  not  return  empty. 

“Saul  and  Jonathan,  lovely  and  comely  in  their  life, 
even  in  death  they  were  not  divided:  they  were  swifter 
than  eagles;  stronger  than  lions. 

“Ye  daughters  of  Israel  weep  over  Saul,  who  clothed 
you  with  scarlet  in  delights;  who  gave  ornaments  of 
gold  for  your  attire. 

“How  are  the  valiant  fallen  in  battle!  Jonathan,  slain 
in  the  high  places! 


150 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


“I  grieve  for  thee,  my  brother  Jonathan:  exceeding 
beautiful,  and  amiable  to  me  above  the  love  of  women. 
As  the  mother  loveth  her  only  son,  so  did  I  love  thee. 

“How  are  the  valiant  fallen,  and  the  weapons  of  war 
perished!” 


VIII. 


KING  DAVID. 

David  and  Bethsabee:  Then  all  the  tribes  of  Israel 
came  to  David  in  Hebron,  saying,  “Behold,  we  are  thy 
bone  and  thy  flesh;  moreover,  yesterday  also  and  the 
day  before,  when  Saul  was  king  over  us,  thou  wast  he 


David  Sending  Word  to  Joab. 


that  did  lead  out  and  bring  in  Israel.”  And  they  an- 
nointed  David  to  be  king  over  Israel. 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  this  that  David  defeated  the 
Philistines,  and  brought  them  down.  And  he  defeated 
Moab,  and  measured  them  with  a  line,  casting  them  down 
to  the  earth.  He  defeated  also  Adarezer,  the  son  of  the 
king  of  Sobo,  when  he  went  to  extend  his  dominion  over 
the  river  Euphrates.  David  put  garrisons  also  in  Syria 


152 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


of  Damascus;  and  Syria  served  him  under  tribute. 
And  the  Lord  preserved  David  in  all  his  enterprises, 
whithersoever  he  went.  And  David  did  judgment  and 
justice  to  all  his  people. 

But  King  David  did  that  which  was  very  evil  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord.  For  it  came  to  pass  that  he  walked 
upon  the  roof  of  the  king’s  house;  and  he  saw  from  the 
roof  of  his  house  a  woman;  and  the  woman  was  very 
beautiful;  and  he  sent  and  enquired  who  the  woman 
was;  and  it  was  told  him  that  she  was  Bethsabee,  the  wife 
of  Urias,  the  Hethite;  and  he  sent  messengers  and  took 
her. 

Now  Urias,  the  Hethite,  was  gone  forth  to  war;  and 
he  was  in  the  army  with  Joab,  who  was  over  all  the 
armies  of  Israel,  fighting  against  the  children  of  Ammon. 
David  therefore  wrote  a  letter  to  Joab,  saying,  ‘‘Set  ye 
Urias  in  the  front  of  the  battle,  where  the  fight  is  the 
strongest,  and  leave  ye  him,  that  he  may  be  wounded 
and  die.” 

Wherefore  as  Joab  was  besieging  the  city,  he  put 
Urias  in  the  place  where  he  knew  the  bravest  men  were. 
And  the  men,  coming  out  of  the  city,  fought  against 
Joab,  and  there  fell  some  of  the  people  of  the  servants  of 
David;  and  Urias,  the  Hethite,  was  also  killed.  Then 
Joab  sent  and  told  David  all  things  concerning  the 
battle. 

Now  this  thing  which  David  had  done  was  displeasing 
to  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord  sent  Nathan2  to  David. 
And  when  he  came  into  him,  he  said  to  him,  “There  were 
two  men  in  one  city;  the  one  rich,  and  the  other  poor. 


KING  DAVID 


153 


The  rich  man  had  exceeding  many  sheep  and  oxen;  but 
the  poor  man  had  nothing  at  all,  but  one  little  ewe  lamb, 
which  he  had  brought  and  nourished  up,  and  which  had 
grown  up  in  his  house  together  with  his  children,  eating 
of  his  bread,  and  drinking  of  his  cup,  and  sleeping  in  his 
bosom;  and  it  was 
unto  him  as  a 
daughter.  And 
when  a  certain 
stranger  was  come 
to  the  rich  man,  he 
spared  to  take  of 
his  own  sheep  and 
oxen  to  make  a 
feast  for  that  stran¬ 
ger  who  was  come 
to  him,  but  took 
the  poor  man’s  ewe, 
and  dressed  it  for 
the  man  that  was 
come  to  him.” 

And  David’s 

anger  being  exceed-  Nathan’s  Parable. 

ingly  kindled  against  that  man,  he  said  to  Nathan,  “As 
the  Lord  liveth,  the  man  that  hath  done  this  is  a  child 
of  death;  he  shall  restore  the  ewe  fourfold,  because  he 
did  this  thing,  and  had  no  pity.” 

And  Nathan  said  to  David,  “  Thou  art  the  man.  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel:6  T  annointed  thee  king 
over  Israel,  and  I  delivered  thee  from  the  hand  of  Saul; 


154 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


why  therefore  hast  thou  despised  the  word  of  the  Lord 
to  do  evil  in  My  sight?  Thou  hast  killed  Urias,  the 
Hethite  with  the  sword,  and  hast  taken  his  wife  to  be 
thy  wife,  and  hast  slain  him  with  the  sword  of  the  children 
of  Ammon.  Therefore  the  sword  shall  never  depart  from 
thy  house,  because  thou  hast  despised  Me  and  hast  taken 
the  wife  of  Urias  the  Hethite  to  be  thy  wife.’  ” 

And  David  said  to  Nathan,  “I  have  sinned  against 
the  Lord.”3 

And  Nathan  said  to  David,  “The  Lord  also  has  taken 
away  thy  sin:  thou  shalt  not  die;  nevertheless,  because 
thou  hast  given  occasion  to  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  to 
blaspheme,  for  this  thing,  the  child  that  is  born  of  thee 
shall  surely  die.”4 

And  Nathan  returned  to  his  house. 

Absolom’s  Rebellion:  In  all  Israel,  there  was  not 
a  man  so  comely,  and  so  exceeding  beautiful  as  the 
king’s  son,  Absolom.  From  the  sole  of  the  foot  to  the 
crown  of  his  head,  there  was  no  blemish  in  him.  And 
when  he  polled5  his  hair  (now  he  was  polled  once  a  year, 
because  his  hair  was  burdensome  to  him)  he  weighed  the 
hair  of  his  head  at  two  hundred  sides,5  according  to  the 
common  weight. 

But  Absolom  did  that  which  was  greatly  displeasing 
to  his  father  the  king,  wherefore,  he  was  two  years  in 
Jerusalem,  and  saw  not  the  king’s  face.  He  sent  therefore 
to  Joab7  to  send  him  to  the  king;  but  Joab  would  not 
come  to  him.  And  when  he  had  sent  a  second  time,  and 
he  would  not  come  to  him,  he  said  to  his  servants,  “You 


KING  DAVID 


155 


know  the  field  of  Joab,  near  my  field,  that  he  hath  a  crop 
of  barley;  go  now  and  set  it  on  fire.”  So  the  servants  of 
Absolom  set  the  corn  on  fire. 

And  Joab’s  servants,  coming  with  their  garments 
rent,  said,  “The  servants  of  Absolom  have  set  part  of 
the  field  on  fire.” 

Then  Joab  arose,  and  came  to  Absolom  to  his  house 
and  said,  “Why  have  thy  servants  set  my  corn  on  fire?” 

And  Absolom  answered  Joab,  “I  sent  to  thee  beseech¬ 
ing  thee  to  come  to  me,  that  I  might  send  thee  to  the 
king.  I  beseech  thee  therefore  that  I  may  see  the  face 
of  the  king;  and  if  he  be  mindful  of  my  iniquity,  let  him 
kill  me.” 

So  Joab,  going  to  the  king,  told  him  all:  and  Absolom 
was  called  for;  and  he  went  in  to  the  king,  and  prostrated 
himself  on  the  ground  before  him;  and  the  king  kissed 
Absolom. 

Now  after  these  things,  Absolom  made  himself 
chariots,  and  horsemen,  and  fifty  men  to  run  before  him. 
And  Absolom,  rising  up  early,  stood  by  the  entrance  of 
the  gate;  and  when  any  man  had  business  to  come  to  the 
king’s  judgment,  Absolom  called  him  to  him  and  said, 
“Of  what  city  art  thou?”  He  answered,  “Thy  servant 
is  of  such  a  tribe  of  Israel.”  And  Absolom  answered  him, 
“Thy  words  seem  to  me  good  and  just;  but  there  is  no 
man  appointed  by  the  king  to  hear  thee.”  And  Absolom 
said,  “O  that  they  would  make  me  judge  over  the  land, 
that  all  that  have  business  might  come  to  me,  that  I 
might  do  them  justice.”  Moreover,  when  any  man  came 
to  him  to  salute  him,  he  put  forth  his  hand  and  took  him 


156 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  kissed  him.  And  this  he  did  to  all  Israel  that  came  for 
judgment  to  be  heard  by  the  king;  and  he  enticed  the 
hearts  of  the  men  of  Israel.  And  Absolom  sent  spies  into 
all  the  tribes  of  Israel  saying,  “As  soon  as  you  shall  hear 
the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  say  ye,  ‘Absolom  reigneth  in 
Hebron.’  ”8  And  the  people,  running  together,  increased 
with  Absolom. 

And  there  came  a  messenger  to  David,  saying,  “All 
Israel,  with  their  whole  heart,  followeth  Absolom.” 

And  David  said  to  his  servants,  that  were  with  him 
in  Jerusalem,  “Arise,  and  let  us  flee,  for  we  shall  not 
escape  else  from  the  face  of  Absolom:  make  haste  to  go 
out,  lest  he  come  and  overtake  us,  and  bring  ruin  upon  us, 
and  smite  the  city  with  the  edge  of  the  sword.” 

And  the  king’s  servants  said  to  him,  “Whatsoever 
our  Lord,  the  king,  shall  command,  we  thy  servants  will 
willingly  execute.” 

And  the  king  went  forth,  and  all  his  household  on  foot. 
And  they  all  wept  with  a  loud  voice:  and  all  the  people 
passed  over,  and  the  king  also  himself  went  over  the 
brook  Cedron9  and  all  the  people  marched  towards  the 
way  that  looketh  to  the  desert.  And  David  went  up  by 
the  ascent  of  Mount  Olivet,10  going  up  and  weeping, 
walking  barefoot,  and  With  his  Jiead  covered ;  and  all  the 
people  that  were  with  him,  went  up  with  their  heads 
covered,  weeping. 

And  King  David  came  as  far  as  Bahurim;  and  behold, 
there  came  out  from  thence  a  man  of  the  kindred  of  the 
house  of  Saul,  named  Semai.  And  coming  out,  he  cursed 
as  he  went  on ;  and  he  threw  stones  at  David,  and  at  all 


KING  DAVID 


157 


the  servants  of  King  David:  and  all  the  people  and  all 
the  warriors  walked  on  the  right  and  on  the  left  side  of 
the  king.  And  thus  said  Semai,  when  he  cursed  the  king, 
“Come  out,  come  out;  thou  man  of  blood,  and  thou  man 
of  Belial,  the  Lord  hath  repaid  thee  for  all  the  blood 
of  the  house  of  Saul;  because  thou  hast  usurped  the 
kingdom  in  his  stead,  the  Lord  hath  given  the  kingdom 
into  the  hand  of  Absolom,  thy  son;  and  behold  thy 
evils  press  upon  thee  because  thou  art  a  man  of  blood/’ 

And  Abisai,  the  son  of  Sarvia,  said  to  the  king,  “Why 
should  this  dead  dog  curse  my  lord  the  king?  I  will  go 
and  cut  off  his  head.” 

And  the  king  said  to  Abisai  and  to  all  his  servants, 
“Behold,  my  own  son  seeketh  my  life;  how  much  more 
now  a  son  of  Jemini.  Let  him  alone  that  he  may  curse 
as  the  Lord  hath  bidden  him.  Perhaps  the  Lord  may  look 
upon  my  affliction,  and  the  Lord  may  render  me  good 
for  the  cursing  of  this  day.” 

And  David  and  his  men  with  him,  went  by  the  way; 
and  Semai,  by  the  hill’s  side,  went  over-against  him, 
cursing  and  casting  stones  at  him  and  scattering  earth. 
And  they  came,  and  passed  over  the  Jordan;  and  not 
one  of  them  was  left  that  was  not  gone  over  the  river. 

And  Absolom,  gathering  to  himself  a  great  multitude 
of  the  children  of  Israel,  pursued  after  David.  And 
he  also  came  and  passed  over  the  Jordan,  and  all  Israel 
with  him,  and  camped  in  the  land  of  Galaad. 

And  David,  having  reviewed  his  people,  appointed 
over  them  captains  of  thousands  and  of  hundreds.  And 
he  stood  by  the  gate;  and  all  the  people  went  forth  by 


158 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


their  troops,  by  hundreds  and  by  thousands.  And  the 
king  commanded  Joab,  and  Abisai,  and  Ethai  saying, 
“Save  me  the  boy  Absolom.”  And  all  the  people  heard 
the  king  giving  charge  to  all  the  princes  concerning 
Absolom. 

So  the  people  went  out  into  the  field  against 
Israel.  And  the  battle  was  fought  in  the  forest  of  Ephraim. 
And  the  people  of  Israel  were  defeated  there  by  David's 
army;  and  a  great  slaughter  was  made  that  day  of 
twenty  thousand  men.  And  the  battle  there  was 
scattered  over  the  face  of  all  the  country;  and  there 
were  many  more  of  the  people  whom  the  forest  consumed, 
than  whom  the  sword  devoured  that  day. 

And  it  happened  that  Absolom  met  the  servants  of 
David,  riding  on  a  mule.  And  as  the  mule  went  under  a 
thick  and  large  oak,  his  head  stuck  in  the  oak.  And 
while  he  hung  between  the  heaven  and  the  earth,  the 
mule  on  which  he  rode  passed  on.  And  one  saw  this  and 
told  Joab,  saying,  “I  saw  Absolom  hanging  upon  an 
oak.” 

And  Joab  said  unto  the  man  that  told  him,  “If 
thou  sawest  him,  why  didst  thou  not  stab  him  to  the 
ground,  and  I  would  have  given  thee  ten  sides  of  silver, 
and  a  belt.” 

And  he  said  to  Joab,  “If  thou  wouldst  have  paid  down 
in  my  hands  a  thousand  pieces  of  silver,  I  would  not  lay 
my  hands  upon  the  king’s  son;  for  in  our  hearing  the 
king  charged  thee  and  Abisai  and  Ethai  saying,  ‘Save 
me  the  boy  Absolom.’  Yea,  and  if  I  should  have  acted 
boldly  against  my  own  life,  this  could  not  have  been  hid 
from  the  king;  and  wouldst  thou  have  stood  by  me?” 


KING  DAVID 


159 


And  Joab  said,  “Not  as  thou  wilt;  but  I  will  set  upon 
him  in  thy  sight/’ 

So  he  took  three  lances  in  his  hand,  and  he  thrust 
them  into  the  heart  of  Absolom.  And  whilst  Absolom 
yet  panted  for  life,  sticking  on  the  oak,  ten  young  men, 
armour  bearers  of  Joab,  ran  up,  and  striking  him,  slew 
him.  And  Joab  sounded  the  trumpet,  and  kept  back  the 
people  from  pursuing  after  Israel  in  their  flight,  being 
willing  to  spare  the  multitude.  And  they  took  Absolom, 
and  cast  him  into  a  great  pit  in  the  forest;  and  they  laid 
an  exceeding  great  heap  of  stones  upon  him:  but  all 
Israel  fled  to  their  own  dwellings. 

And  Achimaas,  the  son  of  Sadoc11  said,  “I  will  run 
and  tell  the  king  that  the  Lord  hath  done  judgment  for 
him  from  the  hand  of  his  enemies.” 

And  Joab  said  to  him,  “Thou  shalt  not  be  the  mes¬ 
senger  this  day,  but  shalt  bear  tidings  another  day;  this 
day  I  will  not  have  thee  bear  tidings,  because  the  king’s 
son  is  dead.” 

And  Joab  said  to  Chusai,  “  Go  and  tell  the  king  what 
thou  hast  seen.” 

Chusai  bowed  down  to  Joab,  and  ran. 

Then  Achimaas,  the  son  of  Sadoc,  said  to  Joab  again, 
“Why  might  not  I  also  run  after  Chusai.” 

And  Joab  said  to  him,  “Why  wilt  thou  run,  my  son? 
Thou  wilt  not  be  the  bearer  of  good  tidings.”12 

He  answered,  “But  what  if  I  run?” 

And  he  said  to  him,  “Run.” 

Then  Achimaas,  running  by  a  nearer  way,  passed 
Chusai. 


160 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  David  sat  between  the  two  gates;  and  the 
watchman  that  was  on  the  top  of  the  gate  upon  the  wall, 
lifting  up  his  eyes  saw  a  man  running  alone.  And  crying 

out,  he  told  the  king. 
And  the  king  said, 
“If  he  be  alone  there 
are  good  tidings  in 
his  mouth.” 

And  as  he  was 
coming  apace,  and 
drawing  nearer,  the 
watchman  saw  an¬ 
other  man  running ; 
and  crying  aloud 
from  above,  he  said, 
“I  see  another  man 
running  alone.” 

And  the  king  said, 
“  He  also  is  a  good 
messenger.” 

And  the  watch- 

David  Mourning  for  Absolom.  man  said,  “  The  run¬ 

ning  of  the  foremost  seemeth  to  me  like  the  running  of 
Achimaas,  the  son  of  Sadoc.” 

And  the  king  said,  “  He  is  a  good  man,  and  cometh  with 
good  news.” 

And  Achimaas,  crying  out,  said,  “God  save  thee,  O 
king.”  And  falling  down  before  the  king  with  his  face 
to  the  ground,  he  said,  “Blessed  be  the  Lord  thy  God 
who  hath  shut  up  the  men  that  have  lifted  up  their 
hands  against  the  lord  my  king.” 


KING  DAVID 


161 


And  the  king  said,  “Is  the  young  man  Absolom  safe? ” 

And  Achimaas  said,  “I  saw  a  great  tumult,  O  king, 
when  thy  servant  Joab  sent  me  thy  servant;  T  know 
nothing  else.” 

And  the  king  said  to  him,  “Pass,  and  stand  here.” 

And  when  he  had  passed  and  stood  still,  Chusai 
appeared;  and  coming  up  he  said,  “I  bring  good  tidings, 
lord  my  king,  for  the  Lord  hath  judged  for  thee  this  day 
from  the  hand  of  all  that  have  risen  up  against  thee.” 

And  the  king  said  to  Chusai,  “Is  the  young  man 
Absolom  safe?” 

And  Chusai,  answering  him  said,  “Let  the  enemies  of 
the  lord,  my  king,  and  all  that  rise  up  against  him  unto 
evil,  be  as  the  young  man  is.” 

The  king,  therefore,  being  much  moved,  went  up  to  the 
high  chamber  over  the  gate,  and  wept.  And  as  he  went 
he  spoke  in  this  manner,  “My  son  Absolom;  Absolom, 
my  son!  Who  would  grant  me  that  I  might  die  for  thee, 
Absolom,  my  son;  my  son  Absolom!” 


IX. 


0 

KING  SOLOMON. 

The  Elevation  of  Solomon  to  the  Throne  of 
Israel:  Now  when  King  David  was  old  and  advanced 
in  years,  his  son  Adonias  exalted  himself,  saying,  4 4 1  will  be 
king;”  And  he  made  himself  chariots  and  horsemen,  and 
fiftv  men  to  run  before  him.  Neither  did  his  father  rebuke 
him  at  any  time,  saying,  “Why  hast  thou  done  this.” 
And  he  was  very  beautiful,  the  next  in  birth  after  Abso- 
lom.  And  he  conferred  with  Joab,  and  with  Abiathar, 
the  priest;  but  Sadoc,  the  priest,  and  Banaias,  and 
Nathan  the  prophet,  and  the  strength  of  David’s  army 
was  not  with  Adonias.  And  Adonais  having  slain  rams 
and  calves  and  all  fat  cattle  by  the  stone  of  Zoheleth, 
invited  all  his  brethren,  the  king’s  sons,  and  all  the  men 
of  Juda,  the  king’s  servants.  But  Nathan,  the  prophet, 
and  Babaias  and  all  the  valiant  men,  and  Solomon,  his 
brother,  he  invited  not. 

And  Nathan  said  to  Bethsabee,  the  mother  of  Solomon, 
44  Hast  thou  not  heard  that  Adonias  reigneth  and  our 
lord  David  knoweth  it  not?  Now  then,  come,  take  my 
counsel,  and  save  thy  life  and  the  life  of  thy  son  Solomon. 
Go,  get  thee  in  to  the  King  David  and  say  to  him,  4  Didst 
thou  not  my  lord,  O  king,  swear  to  me,  thy  handmaid, 
saying:  Solomon,  thy  son,  shall  reign  after  me,  and  he 
shall  sit  in  my  throne?  Why  then  doth  Adonais  reign?’ 


KING  SOLOMON 


163 


And  while  thou  art  yet  speaking  there  with  the  king,  I 
will  come  after  thee,  and  will  fill  up  thy  words.” 

So  Bethsabee  went  in  to  the  king  into  the  chamber; 
and  she  bowed  herself  and  worshipped  the  king. 

And  the  king  said  to  her,  “What  is  thy  will?” 

She  answered  and  said,  “My  lord,  thou  didst  swear 
to  thy  handmaid  by  the  Lord  thy  God  saying,  'Solomon, 
thy  son,  shall  reign  after  me,  and  he  shall  sit  in  my  throne.’ 
And  behold,  now  Adonias  reigneth,  and  thou,  my  lord 
the  king  knoweth  nothing  of  it.  He  hath  killed  oxen 
and  all  fat  cattle  and  many  rams,  and  invited  all  the 
king’s  sons,  and  Abiathar,  the  priest,  and  Joab,  the 
general  of  the  army;  but  Solomon,  thy  servant  he 
invited  not.  And  now,  my  lord  O  king,  the  eyes  of  all 
Israel  are  upon  thee  that  thou  shouldst  tell  them  who 
shall  sit  on  thy  throne,  my  lord  the  king,  after  thee; 
otherwise  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  my  lord  the  king 
sleepeth  with  his  fathers,  that  I  and  my  son  Solomon 
shall  be  counted  offenders.” 

As  she  was  yet  speaking  with  the  king,  Nathan  the 
prophet  came,  and  they  told  the  king  saying,  “Nathan 
the  prophet  is  here.”  And  when  he  was  come  in  before 
the  king,  and  had  worshipped,  bowing  down  to  the  ground, 
Nathan  said,  “My  lord  O  king,  hast  thou  said:  kLet 
Adonias  reign  after  me,  and  let  him  sit  upon  my  throne;’ 
because  he  has  gone  down  today,  and  hath  killed  oxen 
and  fatlings  and  many  rams,  and  invited  all  the  king’s 
sons,  and  the  captains  of  the  army,  and  Abiathar,  the 
priest,  and  they  are  eating  and  drinking  before  him  and 
saying,  ‘God  save  King  Adonias;’  but  me  thy  servant, 


164 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  Sadoc  the  priest,  and  Banaias,  and  Solomon  thy 
servant,  he  hath  not  invited.  Is  this  word  come  out 
from  my  lord  the  king,  and  hast  thou  not  told  me  thy 
servant  who  should  sit  on  the  throne  of  my  lord  the  king 
after  him?” 

And  King  David  answered  and  said,  “Call  to  me 
Bethsabee.”  And  when  she  was  come  in  to  the  king  and 
stood  before  him,  the  king  swore  and  said,  “As  the  Lord 
who  hath  delivered  my  soul  out  of  all  distress,  even  as  I 
swore  to  thee  by  the  Lord  the  God  of  Israel  saying,  ‘  Sol¬ 
omon  thy  son  shall  reign  after  me,  and  he  shall  sit  upon 
my  throne  in  my  stead,’  so  will  I  do  this  day.” 

And  Bethsabee,  bowing  with  her  face  to  the  earth, 
worshipped  the  king,  saying,  “May  my  lord  David  live 
forever.” 

King  David  also  said,  “Call  me  Sadoc  the  priest, 
and  Nathan  the  prophet,  and  Banaias  the  son  of  Joida.” 
And  when  they  were  come  in  before  the  king,  he  said  to 
them,  “Take  with  you  the  servants  of  your  lord,  and 
set  my  son  Solomon  upon  my  mule,  and  bring  him  to 
Gihon;  and  let  Sadoc  the  priest,  and  Nathan  the  prophet 
annoint  him  there  king  over  Israel;  and  you  shall  sound 
the  trumpet,  and  shall  say,  ‘God  save  King  Solomon.’ 
And  you  shall  come  up  after  him  and  he  shall  come  and 
shall  sit  upon  my  throne,  and  he  shall  reign  in  my  stead: 
and  I  will  appoint  him  to  be  ruler  over  Israel  and  over 
Juda.” 

So  Sadoc  the  priest  and  Nathan  the  prophet  went 
down,  and  Banaias,  and  the  Cerethi  and  the  Phelethi, 
and  they  set  Solomon  upon  the  mule  of  King  David,  and 


KING  SOLOMON 


165 


brought  him  to  Gihon.  And  Sadoc  took  a  horn  of  oil  out 
of  the  tabernacle  and  annointed  Solomon;  and  they 
sounded  the  trumpet,  and  all  the  people  said,  “God  save 
King  Solomon.”  And  all  the  multitude  went  up  after 
him;  and  the  people  played  with  pipes,  and  rejoiced  with 
a  great  joy;  and  the  earth  rang  with  the  noise  of  their 
cry. 

And  Adonais  and  all  that  were  with  him  heard  the 
noise;  and  Joab  said,  ”What  meaneth  this  noise  of  the 
city  in  an  uproar?”  And  while  he  yet  spoke,  Jonathan, 
the  son  of  Abiathar  the  priest  came.  And  Adonais  said 
to  him,  “Come  in,  because  thou  art  a  valiant  man  and 
bringeth  good  news.” 

And  Jonathan  answered  Adonais,  “Not  so,  for  my 
lord  King  David  hath  appointed  Solomon  king.” 

Then  all  the  guests  of  Adonais  were  afraid,  and  they 
all  rose  and  every  man  went  his  way.  And  Adonais, 
fearing  Solomon,  arose  and  went  and  took  hold  of  the 
horn  of  the  altar.  And  they  told  Solomon  saying,  “Be¬ 
hold  Adonais  fearing  Solomon,  hath  taken  hold  of  the 
horn  of  the  altar  saying,  4  Let  King  Solomon  swear  to  me 
this  day  that  he  will  not  kill  his  servant  with  the  sword.’  ” 

And  Solomon  said,  “If  he  be  a  good  man  there  shall 
not  so  much  as  one  hair  of  his  head  fall  to  the  ground; 
but  if  evil  be  found  in  him,  he  shall  die.” 

Then  King  Solomon  sent  and  brought  him  out  from 
the  altar;  and  going  in  he  worshipped  King  Solomon. 
And  Solomon  said  to  him,  “Go  to  thy  house.” 

And  Solomon  sat  upon  the  throne  of  his  father,  David, 
and  his  kingdom  was  strengthened  exceedingly. 


166 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Solomon’s  Dream:  And  Solomon  loved  the  Lord, 
walking  in  the  precepts  of  David  his  father.  And  the 
Lord  appeared  to  him  in  a  dream  by  night  saying,  “Ask 
what  thou  wilt  that  I  should  give  thee.” 

And  Solomon  said,  “Thou  hast  shown  great  mercy 
to  Thy  servant  David,  my  father,  even  as  he  walked  before 
Thee  in  truth  and  justice  and  an  upright  heart  with  Thee; 
and  Thou  hast  kept  Thy  great  mercy  for  him,  and  hast 
given  him  a  son  to  sit  on  his  throne,  as  it  is  this  day. 
And  now,  O  Lord  God,  Thou  hast  made  Thy  servant 
king  instead  of  David,  my  father;  and  I  am  but  a  child, 
and  know  not  how  to  go  out  and  come  in;  and  Thy 
servant  is  in  the  midst  of  the  people  which  Thou  hast 
chosen,  an  immense  people  which  cannot  be  numbered 
nor  counted  for  multitude.  Give  therefore  to  Thy  ser¬ 
vant  an  understanding  heart  to  judge  Thy  people  and 
discern  between  good  and  evil;  for  who  shall  be  able  to 
judge  this  people,  Thy  people,  which  is  so  numerous.” 

And  the  word  was  pleasing  to  the  Lord  that  Solomon 
had  asked  such  a  thing.  And  the  Lord  said  to  Solomon, 
“Because  thou  hast  asked  this  thing,  and  hast  not  asked 
for  thyself  long  life  or  riches  nor  the  lives  of  thy  enemies, 
but  hast  asked  for  thyself  wisdom  to  discern  judgment, 
behold  I  have  done  for  thee  according  to  thy  words  and 
have  given  thee  a  wise  and  understanding  heart,  insomuch 
that  there  has  been  no  one  like  thee  before  thee  among 
the  kings  in  all  the  days  heretofore.  And  if  thou  wilt 
walk  in  My  ways  and  keep  My  precepts  and  My  com¬ 
mandments  as  thy  father  walked,  I  will  lengthen  thy 
days.” 


KING  SOLOMON 


167 


And  Solomon  awaked,  and  perceived  that  it  was  a 
dream. 

The  Wisdom  of  Solomon:  And  there  came  two 
women  to  King  Solomon  and  stood  before  him.  And  one 
of  them  said,  “I  beseech  thee,  my  lord,  I  and  this  woman 
dwelled  in  one  house;  and  we  were  together,  and  no 
other  person  with  us  in  the  house  only  we  two.  And  this 
woman’s  child  died  in  the  night,  for  in  her  sleep  she 
overlaid  him.  And  rising  in  the  dead  time  of  the  night, 
she  took  my  child  from  my  side,  while  I  thy  handmaid 
was  asleep,  and  laid  it  in  her  bosom;  and  laid  her  dead 
child  in  my  bosom.  And  when  I  arose  in  the  morning  to 
give  my  child  suck,  behold  it  was  dead.  But  considering 
him  more  diligently  when  it  was  clear  day,  I  found  that 
it  was  not  mine  which  I  bore.” 

And  the  other  woman  said,  “It  is  not  so  as  thou 
sayest;  but  thy  child  is  dead  and  mine  is  alive.” 

“On  the  contrary,”  she  said,  “thou  liest;  for  my  child 
liveth,  and  thy  child  is  dead.” 

And  in  this  manner  they  strove  before  the  king. 

Then  said  the  king,  “The  one  saith:  ‘My  child  is 
alive,  and  thy  child  is  dead:5  and  the  other  answereth, 
‘Nay,  but  thy  child  is  dead,  and  mine  liveth.’ ”  The  king 
therefore  said,  “Bring  me  a  sword.”  And  when  they 
had  brought  a  sword  before  the  king,  “Divide,”  he  said, 
“the  living  child  in  two,  and  give  half  to  the  one  and  half 
to  the  other.” 

But  the  woman  whose  child  was  alive  said  to  the 
king,  “I  beseech  thee,  my  lord,  give  her  the  child  alive, 
and  do  not  kill  it.” 


168 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


But  the  other  said,  ‘‘Let  it  be  neither  mine  nor  thine, 
but  divide  it.” 

The  king  answered  and  said,  44  Give  the  living  child 
to  this  woman,  and  let  it  not  be  killed,  for  she  is  the 

mother  thereof.” 

And  all  Israel 
heard  the  judgment 
which  the  king  had 
judged  and  they 
feared  the  king  see¬ 
ing  that  the  wisdom 
of  God  was  in  him 
to  do  judgment. 
And  they  came 
from  all  nations  to 
hear  the  wisdom  of 
Solomon,  and  from 
all  the  kings  of  the 
earth,  who  heard  of 
his  wisdom. 


Solomon’s  Tem- 

The  Judgment  of  Solomon.  pLE :  And  Solomon 

sent  to  Hiram  king  of  Tyre  saying,  “I  purpose  to  build  a 
temple  to  the  name  of  the  Lord  my  God ;  give  orders  there¬ 
fore  that  thy  servants  cut  me  down  trees  out  of  Libanus ; 
and  let  my  servants  be  with  thy  servants;  and  I  will  give 
thee  the  hire  of  thy  servants  whatsoever  thou  wilt  ask; 
for  thou  knowest  how  there  is  not  among  my  people  a 
man  that  has  skill  to  hew  wood  like  the  Sidonians.” 


KING  SOLOMON 


1()9 

And  Hiram  sent  to  Solomon  saying,  “I  have  heard  all 
thou  hast  desired  of  me,  and  I  will  do  all  thy  desire 
concerning  cedar  trees  and  fir  trees.” 

So  Hiram  gave  Solomon  cedar  trees  and  fir  trees 
according  to  all  his  desire.  And  King  Solomon  chose 
workmen  out  of  all  Israel;  and  the  levy  was  thirty 
thousand  men.  And  he  had  seventy  thousand  to  carry 
burdens,  and  eighty  thousand  to  hew  stones  in  the 
mountains,  besides  the  overseers  who  were  over  the 
work,  in  number  about  three  thousand,  and  three  hun¬ 
dred  that  ruled  over  the  people  and  them  that  did  the 
work.  And  the  house  when  it  was  building  was  built  of 
stones  hewed  and  made  ready  so  that  there  was  neither 
hammer  nor  axe  nor  any  tool  of  iron  heard  in  the  house 
when  it  was  building.  And  it  was  seven  years  in  building. 

And  King  Solomon  sent  and  brought  Hiram  from  Tyre, 
the  son  of  a  widow  woman  of  the  tribe  of  Nephtali,  whose 
father  was  a  Tyrian,  and  artificer  in  brass,  and  full  of 
wisdom  and  understanding  and  skill  to  work  all  work  in 
brass.  And  when  he  was  come  to  King  Solomon,  he 
wrought  all  his  work.  And  all  the  vessels  that  Hiram 
made  for  King  Solomon  for  the  house  of  the  Lord  were 
of  fine  brass.  And  Solomon  placed  all  the  vessels.  And  he 
brought  in  the  things  that  David  his  father  had  dedicated ; 
the  silver  and  the  gold  and  the  vessels,  and  laid  them  up 
in  the  treasures  of  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

Then  all  the  ancients  of  Israel,  with  the  princes  of  the 
tribes  and  the  heads  of  the  families  of  the  children  of 
Israel  were  assembled  to  King  Solomon  in  J erusalem  that 
they  might  carry  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant  of  the  Lord 


170 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


out  of  the  city  of  David,  that  is,  out  of  Sion.  And  all 
the  ancients  of  Israel  came;  and  the  priests  took  up  the 
Ark  and  brought  it  into  its  place. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  priests  were  come  out 
of  the  sanctuary,  that  a  cloud  filled  the  house  of  the 


Solomon’s  Temple. 


Lord ;  and  the  priests  could  not  stand  to  minister  because 
of  the  cloud;  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord  had  filled  the 
house  of  the  Lord. 

Then  Solomon  said,  4 ‘The  Lord  said  that  He  would 
dwell  in  a  cloud.  Building,  I  have  built  a  house  for  Thy 
dwelling,  to  be  Thy  most  firm  throne  forever.”1 

And  the  king  turned  his  face  and  blessed  all  the 
assembly  of  Israel. 

Solomon  and  the  Queen  of  Saba:  And  the  Queen 
of  Saba,  having  heard  of  the  fame  of  Solomon  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  came  to  try  him  with  hard  questions. 


KING  SOLOMON 


171 


And  entering  into  Jerusalem  with  a  great  train,  and  riches 
and  camels  that  carried  spices,  and  an  immense  quantity 
of  gold  and  precious  stones,  she  came  to  King  Solomon 
and  spoke  to  him  all  that  was  in  her  heart.  And  Solomon 
informed  her  of  all  the  things  she  proposed  to  him. 


The  Queen  of  Saba’s  Visit  to  King  Solomon. 


There  was  not  any  word  the  king  was  ignorant  of  and 
which  he  could  not  answer  her. 

And  when  the  Queen  of  Saba  saw  all  the  wisdom2  of 
Solomon,  and  the  house  which  he  had  built,  and  the  meat 
of  his  table,  and  the  apartments  of  his  servants,  and  the 
order  of  his  ministers  and  their  apparel,  and  the  cup 
bearers,  and  the  holocausts  which  he  offered  in  the  house 
of  the  Lord,  she  had  no  longer  any  spirit  in  her,  and 
she  said  to  the  king,  44  The  report  is  true  which  I  heard 
in  my  own  country  concerning  thy  words  and  concern¬ 
ing  thy  wisdom;  and  I  did  not  believe  them  that  told  me 
till  I  came  myself  and  saw  with  my  own  eyes  and  have 


172 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


found  that  the  half  hath  not  been  told  me:  thy  wisdom 
and  thy  words  exceed  the  fame  which  I  have  heard. 
Blessed  are  the  men  and  blessed  are  thy  servants  who 
stand  before  thee  always  and  hear  thy  wisdom.  Blessed 
be  the  Lord  thy  God  whom  thou  hast  pleased,  and  who 
hath  set  thee  upon  the  throne  of  Israel,  because  the 
Lord  hath  loved  Israel  forever,  and  hath  appointed  the 
king  to  do  judgment  and  justice.” 

And  King  Solomon  gave  the  Queen  of  Saba  all  that 
she  desired  and  asked  of  him,  besides  what  he  offered  of 
himself  of  his  royal  bounty.  And  she  returned  and  went 
to  her  own  country  with  her  servants. 

The  Fall  of  Solomon:  But  King  Solomon  loved 
many  strange  women;  and  when  he  was  now  old,  his 
heart  was  turned  awray  by  women  to  follow  strange  gods; 
and  his  heart  was  not  perfect  with  the  Lord  his  God  as 
was  the  heart  of  David  his  father.  For  Solomon  wor¬ 
shipped  Astarthe,  the  goddess  of  the  Sidonians,  and 
Moloch,  the  idol  of  the  Ammonites;  and  he  built  a 
temple  for  Chamos,  the  idol  of  Moab,  on  the  hill  that  is 
over  against  Jerusalem;  and  he  did  in  this  manner  for  all 
his  wives  that  were  strangers,  who  burnt  incense  and 
offered  sacrifice  to  their  gods. 

And  the  Lord  was  angry  with  Solomon  because  his 
mind  was  turned  away  from  the  Lord  the  God  of  Israel 
who  had  appeared  to  him  twdce  and  had  commanded 
him  that  he  should  not  follow  strange  gods.  But  he 
kept  not  the  things  which  the  Lord  had  commanded 
him. 


KING  SOLOMON 


173 


The  Lord  therefore  said  to  Solomon,  “Because  thou 
hast  done  this  and  hast  not  kept  My  covenant  and  My 
precepts  which  I  have  commanded  thee,  I  will  divide 
and  rend  thy  kingdom,  and  will  give  it  to  thy  servant. 
Nevertheless,  in  thy  days  I  will  not  do  it,  for  David  thy 
father’s  sake;  but  I  will  rend  it  out  of  the  hand  of  thy 
son.  Neither  will  I  take  away  the  whole  kingdom,  but 
I  will  give  one  tribe  to  thy  son,  for  the  sake  of  David  My 
servant,  and  Jerusalem  which  I  have  chosen.”3 

And  on  a  certain  day,  as  Jeroboam,  a  servant  of 
Solomon,  went  out  of  Jerusalem,  the  Prophet  Ahias,  clad 
with  a  new  garment,  found  him  in  the  way ;  and  they  two 
were  alone  in  the  field.  And  Ahias,  taking  his  new  gar¬ 
ment  wherewith  he  was  clad,  divided  it  into  twelve  parts ; 
and  he  said  to  Jeroboam,  “Take  to  thee  ten  pieces,  for 
thus  saith  the  Lord  the  God  of  Israel :  4  Behold  I  will  rend 
the  kingdom  out  of  the  hand  of  Solomon  and  will  give 
thee  ten  tribes;  but  one  tribe  shall  remain  to  him  for 
the  sake  of  My  servant  David,  and  Jerusalem,  the  city 
which  I  have  chosen  out  of  all  the  tribes  of  Israel,  because 
he  hath  not  walked  in  My  ways  to  do  justice  before  Me 
and  to  keep  My  precepts  and  judgments  as  David,  his 
father,  did.  Yet  I  will  not  take  away  all  the  kingdom 
out  of  his  hand,  but  I  will  take  it  out  of  his  son’s  hand; 
and  I  will  give  thee  ten  tribes,  and  to  his  son  I  will  give 
one  tribe,  that  there  may  remain  a  lamp  for  My  servant 
David  before  Me  always  in  Jerusalem.’  ” 

And  it  came  to  pass  that  Jeroboam  lifted  up  his  hand 
against  the  king,  wherefore  the  king  sought  to  kill  him; 
but  he  arose  and  fled  into  Egypt,  and  was  in  Egypt  till 
the  death  of  Solomon. 


174 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  the  days  that  Solomon  reigned  in  Jerusalem  over 
all  Israel  were  forty  years.  And  Solomon  slept  with  his 
fathers,  and  was  buried  in  the  city  of  David  his  father. 

And  Roboam  his 
son  reigned  in  his 
stead. 


The  Division 
of  the  Kingdom: 
And  Jeroboam,  the 
son  of  Nabat,  hear¬ 
ing  of  the  death  of 
King  Solomon,  re¬ 
turned  out  of 
Egypt.  And  he 
came,  and  all  the 
multitude  of  Israel 
with  him,  and  they 
spoke  to  King  Ro¬ 
boam  saying,  “Thy 
father  hath  laid  a 
grievous  yoke  upon 
us,  now  therefore 
do  thou  take  off  a 
little  of  the  grievous 
service  of  thy  father 
of  his  most  heavy  yoke,  which  he  hath  put  upon  us,  and 
we  will  serve  thee.” 

And  he  said  to  them,  44  Go  till  the  third  day  and 
come  again  to  me.” 


King  Roboam  Leaving  the  Counsel  of 
the  Old  Men. 


KING  SOLOMON 


175 


And  when  the  people  was  gone.  King  Roboam  took 
counsel  with  the  old  men  that  stood  before  Solomon  his 
father  while  he  yet  lived,  and  he  said,  “What  counsel  do 
you  give  me  that  I  may  answer  this  people?” 

They  said  to 
him,  “If  thou  wilt 
yield  to  this  people 
today,  and  conde¬ 
scend  to  them,  and 
grant  their  petition, 
and  wilt  speak  gen¬ 
tle  words  to  them, 
they  will  be  thy 
servants  always.” 

But  he  left  the 
counsel  of  the  old 
men  which  they  had 
given  him,  and  con- 
sulted  with  the 
young  men  that  had 
been  brought  up 
with  him  and  stood 
before  him.  And  Revolt  of  the  Ten  Tribes‘ 

he  said  to  them,  “What  counsel  do  you  give  me  that  I 
may  answer  this  people  who  have  said  to  me,  ‘Make 
the  yoke  which  thy  father  put  upon  us  lighter’?” 

And  the  young  men  that  had  been  brought  up  with 
him  said,  “Thus  shalt  thou  speak  to  this  people  who  have 
spoken  to  thee  saying,  ‘  Thy  father  made  our  yoke  heavy, 
do  thou  ease  us’;  thou  shalt  say  to  them,  4 My  little 


176 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


finger  is  thicker  than  the  back  of  my  father;  and  now  my 
father  put  a  heavy  yoke  upon  you,  but  I  will  add  to 
your  yoke;  my  father  beat  you  with  whips,  but  I  will 
beat  you  with  scorpions/ 

So  Jeroboam  and  all  the  people  came  to  Roboam 
the  third  day  as  the  king  had  appointed,  saying,  “Come 
to  me  again  the  third  day.”  And  the  king  answered  the 
people  roughly,  leaving  the  counsel  of  the  old  men  which 
they  had  given  him;  and  he  spoke  to  them  according 
to  the  counsel  of  the  young  men,  saying,  “  My  father 
made  your  yoke  heavy,  but  I  will  add  to  your  yoke; 
my  father  beat  you  with  whips,  but  I  will  beat  you  with 
scorpions.”  And  the  king  condescended  not  to  the  people, 
for  the  Lord  was  turned  away  from  him  to  make  good 
His  word  which  He  had  spoken  in  the  hand  of  Ahias  to 
Jeroboam,  the  son  of  Nabat. 

Then  the  people,  seeing  that  the  king  would  not 
hearken  to  them,  answered  him,  saying,  “What  portion 
have  we  in  David,  or  what  inheritance  in  the  son  of 
Isai?  Go  home  to  your  dwellings!  O  Israel.4  Now  David, 
look  to  thy  own  house.” 

So  Israel  departed  to  their  dwellings,  and  revolted 
from  the  house  of  David  unto  this  day.5 


X. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL. 

•  King  Jeroboam:  And  it  came  to  pass  that  all  Israel 
gathered  an  assembly,  and  sent  and  called  Jeroboam 
and  made  him  king  over  Israel.  And  Jeroboam  built 
Sichem  in  Mount 
Ephraim,  and 
dwelled  there. 

And  Jeroboam 
said  in  his  heart, 

“Now  shall  the 
kingdom  return  to 
the  house  of  David 
if  this  people  go  up 
to  offer  sacrifices  in 
the  house  of  the 
Lord  at  Jerusalem; 
and  the  heart  of 
this  people  will  turn 
to  their  lord  Ro- 
boam  the  king  of 
Juda,  and  they  will 
kill  me  and  return  to  him.”  And  finding  out  a  device,  he 
made  two  golden  calves,  and  said,  “  Go  ye  up  no  more  to 
Jerusalem:  Behold  thy  gods,  O  Israel,  who  brought  you 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt.”1  And  he  set  one  in  Bethel 
and  the  other  in  Dan.  And  this  thing  became  an  occasion 


Jeroboam  Making  Idols  to  Worship. 


178 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


of  sin,  for  the  people  went  to  adore  the  calf  as  far  as 
Dan. 

And  Roboam  made  temples  in  the  high  places,  and 
priests  of  the  lowest  of  the  people  who  were  not  of  the 
sons  of  Levi.  And  he  appointed  a  feast  in  the  eighth 
month,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  the  month,  after  the  man¬ 
ner  of  the  feast  that  was  celebrated  in  Juda.  And  going 
up  to  the  altar,  he  did  in  like  manner  in  Bethel,  to  sacri¬ 
fice  to  calves  which  he  had  made.  And  he  placed  in  Bethel 
priests  of  the  high  places  which  he  had  made.  And  for 
this  cause  was  the  house  of  Jeroboam  cut  off  and  destroyed 
from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Elias  and  the  Prophet  of  Baal:  And  all  the  kings 
of  Israel  that  came  after  Jeroboam  did  evil  in  the  sight 
of  the  Lord;  but  Achab,  the  son  of  Amri,  did  evil  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord  above  all  the  kings  that  were  before 
him.  Nor  was  it  enough  for  him  to  walk  in  the  sins  of 
Jeroboam,  the  son  of  Nabat;  but  he  also  took  to  wife 
Jezabel,2  daughter  of  Ethbaal,  king  of  the  Sidonians. 
And  he  set  up  an  altar  for  Baal  in  the  temple  of  Baal, 
which  he  had  built  in  Samaria;  and  he  planted  a  grove. 

And  Elias,  a  prophet  of  the  Lord,  came  to  Achab,  and 
said  to  him,  “As  the  Lord  liveth,  in  whose  sight  I  stand, 
there  shall  not  be  dew  nor  rain  these  years  but  according 
to  the  word  of  my  mouth.”3  Then,  he  went  according 
to  the  word  of  the  Lord,4  and  dwelt  by  the  torrent  of 
Carith,  which  is  over  against  the  Jordan.  And  ravens 
brought  him  bread  and  flesh  in  the  morning,  and  bread 
and  flesh  in  the  evening;  and  he  drank  of  the  torrent. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


179 


And  after  many  days  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
Elias,  saying,  “Go  and  show  thyself  to  Achab  that  I  may 
give  rain  upon  the  face  of  the  earth.” 

And  when  Achab  had  seen  Elias,  he  said  to  him,  “Art 
thou  he  that  troub- 
lest  Israel?”5 

And  he  said,  “I 
have  not  troubled 
Israel,  but  thou  and 
thy  father’s  house, 
who  have  forsaken 
the  commandments 
of  the  Lord  and 
have  followed 
Baalim.6  Neverthe¬ 
less,  send  now  and 
gather  unto  me  all 
Israel  unto  Mount 
Carmel  ;  and  the 
prophets  of  Baal, 
four  hundred  and 

fifty;  and  the  pro¬ 
phets  of  the  grove  The  Er°phet  Elias  in  the  Desert. 

four  hundred,  who  eat  at  Jezabel’s  table.” 

So  Achab  sent  to  all  the  children  of  Israel  and  gathered 
together  the  prophets  unto  Mount  Carmel. 

And  Elias  coming  to  all  the  people  said,  “How  long 
do  you  halt  between  two  sides?  If  the  Lord  be  God, 
follow  Him;  but  if  Baal,  then  follow  him.” 

And  the  people  did  not  answer  him  a  word. 


180 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  Elias  said  again  to  the  people,  44 1  only  remain  a 
prophet  of  the  Lord,  but  the  prophets  of  Baal  are  four 
hundred  and  fifty  men;  let  two  bullocks  be  given  us, 
and  let  them  choose  one  bullock  for  themselves,  and 
cut  it  in  pieces,  and  lay  it  upon  wood,  but  put  no  fire 
under  it;  and  I  will  dress  the  other  bullock,  and  lay  it  on 
wood,  and  put  no  fire  under  it.  Call  ye  on  the  name  of 
your  gods,  and  I  will  call  on  the  name  of  my  Lord;  and 
the  God  that  shall  answer  by  fire,  let  him  be  God.” 

And  all  the  people  answering,  said,  44  A  very  good  pro¬ 
posal.” 

Then  Elias  said  to  the  prophets  of  Baal,  44  Choose 
you  one  bullock  and  dress  it  first,  because  you  are  many, 
and  call  on  the  name  of  your  gods,  but  put  no  fire  under.” 

And  they  took  the  bullock  which  he  gave  them,  and 
dressed  it,  and  they  called  on  the  name  of  Baal  from 
morning  even  till  noon,  saying,  44 O  Baal,  hear  us”;  but 
there  was  no  voice  nor  any  that  answered;  and  they 
leaped  over  the  altar  that  they  had  made.  And  when  it 
was  now  noon,  Elias  jested  at  them  saying,  44  Cry  with 
a  louder  voice,  for  he  is  a  god,  and  perhaps  he  is  talking, 
or  is  in  at  an  inn,  or  on  a  journey,  or  perhaps  he  is  asleep 
and  must  be  awaked.”  So  they  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
and  cut  themselves,  after  their  manner,  with  knives  and 
lancets,  till  they  were  all  covered  with  blood.  And  after 
mid-day  was  passed,  and  while  they  were  prophesying,7 
the  time  was  come  of  offering  sacrifice;  and  there  was  no 
voice  heard,  nor  did  any  one  answer,  nor  regard  them  as 
they  prayed. 

And  Elias  said  to  the  people,  44  Come  ye  to  me.”  And 
the  people  coming  near  unto  him,  he  repaired  the  altar 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


181 


of  the  Lord  that  was  broken  down;  and  he  took  twelve 
stones,  according  to  the  number  of  the  tribes  of  the  sons 
of  Jacob,  to  whom  the  word  of  the  Lord  came,  saying, 
‘‘Israel  shall  be  thy  name”;  and  he  built  with  the  stones 
an  altar  to  the  name  of  the  Lord;  and  he  made  a  trench 
for  water,  of  the  breadth  of  two  furrows,  round  about  the 
altar;  and  he  laid  the  wood  in  order,  and  cut  the  bullock 
in  pieces,  and  laid  it  upon  the  wood.  And  he  said,  “Fill 


Elias  and  the  Priests  of  Baal. 


four  buckets  with  water,  and  pour  it  upon  the  burnt 
offering,  and  upon  the  wood.”  And  again  he  said,  “Do 
the  same  the  second  time.”  And  when  they  had  done  it 
the  second  time  he  said,  “Do  the  same  also  the  third 
time.”  And  they  did  so  the  third  time.  And  the  water 
ran  round  about  the  altar;  and  the  trench  was  filled  with 
water. 

And  when  it  was  now  time  to  offer  the  holocaust, 
Elias  the  prophet  came  near  and  said,  “O  Lord  God  of 
Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Israel,  show  this  day  that  Thou 
art  the  God  of  Israel,  and  I  Thy  servant;  and  that  accord- 


182 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


in g  to  Thy  commandments  I  have  done  all  these  things. 
Hear  me,  0  Lord,  hear  me,  that  this  people  may  learn 
that  Thou  art  the  Lord  God,  and  that  Thou  hast  turned 
their  heart  again.” 

Then  the  fire  of  the  Lord  fell,  and  consumed  the  holo¬ 
caust  and  the  wood  and  the  stones  and  the  dust  and 
licked  up  the  water  that  was  in  the  trench. 

And  when  all  the  people  saw  this,  they  fell  on  their 
faces,  and  they  said,  “The  Lord,  He  is  God;  the  Lord, 
He  is  God.” 

And  Elias  said  to  them,  “Take  the  prophets  of  Baal, 
and  let  not  one  of  them  escape.” 

And  when  they  had  taken  them,  Elias  brought  them 
down  to  the  torrent  of  Cison,  and  killed  them  there. 

And  Elias  said  to  Achab,  “Go  up;  eat  and  drink;  for 
there  is  a  sound  of  abundance  of  rain.”  Achab  went  up 
to  eat  and  drink. 

Then  Elias  went  up  to  the  top  of  Carmel ;  and  he  cast 
himself  down  upon  the  earth  and  put  his  face  between 
his  knees.  And  he  said  to  his  servant,  “Go  up  and  look 
towards  the  sea.” 

And  he  went  up  and  looked  and  said,  “There  is 
nothing.” 

And  again  he  said  to  him,  “Return  seven  times.” 

And  at  the  seventh  time,  behold  a  little  cloud  arose 
out  of  the  sea  like  a  man’s  foot. 

And  he  said,  “Go  up  and  say  to  Achab,  ‘Prepare  thy 
chariot  and  go  down,  lest  the  rain  prevent  thee.’  ” 

And  while  he  turned  himself  this  way  *and  that  way, 
behold  the  heavens  grew  dark  with  clouds  and  wind,  and 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


183 


there  fell  a  great  rain.  And  Achab,  getting  up,  went 
away  to  Jezrahel.  And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon 
Elias,  and  he  girded  up  his  loins  and  ran  before  Achab, 
till  he  came  to  Jezrahel. 

The  Call  of  Eliseus:  And  the  Lord  said  to  Elias, 
“Go  and  annoint  Eliseus  to  be  prophet  in  thy  room.” 

And  Elias,  departing  from  thence,  found  Eliseus 
ploughing  with  twelve  yoke  of  oxen;  and  he  was  one  of 
them  that  were  ploughing  with  twelve  yoke  of  oxen. 
And  when  Elias  came  up  to  him  he  cast  his  mantle  upon 
him.8  And  he  forthwith  left  the  oxen  and  ran  after  Elias 
and  said,  “Let  me,  I  pray  thee,  kiss  my  father  and  my 
mother,  and  then  I  will  follow  thee.” 

And  he  said  to  him,  “Go  and  return  back,  for  that 
which  was  my  part,  I  have  done  to  thee.” 

And  returning  back  from  him,  he  took  a  yoke  of 
oxen  and  killed  them,  and  boiled  the  flesh  with  the 
plough  of  the  oxen,  and  gave  to  the  people,  and  they  did 
eat.  And  rising  up,  he  went  away  and  followed  Elias, 
and  ministered  to  him. 

Naboth’s  Vineyard:  Now  at  that  time,  Naboth,  the 
Jezrahelite,  had  a  vineyard  near  the  palace  of  Achab, 
king  of  Samaria.  And  Achab  spoke  to  Naboth,  saying, 
“Give  me  thy  vineyard  that  I  may  make  me  a  garden  of 
herbs,  because  it  is  nigh  and  joining  to  my  house,  and  I 
will  give  thee  for  it  a  better  vineyard ;  or,  if  thou  think 
it  more  convenient  for  thee,  I  will  give  thee  the  worth  of  it 
in  money.” 


184 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Naboth  answered  him,  “The  Lord  be  merciful  to 
me,  and  not  let  me  give  thee  the  inheritance  of  my 
fathers.” 

And  Achab  came  into  his  house  angry  and  fretting 
because  of  the  word  that  Naboth  the  Jezrahelite,  had 
spoken  to  him,  saying,  “I  will  not  give  thee  the  inheri- 


Elias  Denouncing  Achab. 


tance  of  my  fathers.”  And  casting  himself  upon  his  bed, 
he  turned  away  his  face  to  the  wall,  and  would  eat  no 
bread. 

And  Jezabel,  his  wife,  went  to  him  and  said  to  him, 
“What  is  the  matter  that  thy  soul  is  so  grieved;  and  why 
eatest  thou  no  bread?” 

And  he  answered  her,  “I  spoke  to  Naboth,  the  Jez¬ 
rahelite,  and  said  to  him :  Give  me  thy  vineyard  and  take 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


185 


money  for  it;  or,  if  it  please  thee,  I  will  give  thee  a 
better  vineyard  for  it:  and  he  said,  ‘I  will  not  give  thee 
my  vineyard.' 

Then  Jezabel,  his  wife,  said  to  him,  “Thou  art  of 
great  authority  indeed,  and  governest  well  the  kingdom 
of  Israel.  Arise  and  eat  bread,  and  be  of  good  cheer; 
I  will  give  thee  the  vineyard  of  Naboth,  the  Jezrahelite.” 
So  she  wrote  letters  in  Achab’s  name,  and  sealed  them 
with  his  ring,  and  sent  them  to  the  ancients  and  the 
chief  men  that  were  in  the  city  and  that  dwelt  with 
Naboth. 

And  this  was  the  tenor  of  the  letters:  “Proclaim  a 
fast,  and  make  Naboth  sit  among  the  chief  of  the  people; 
and  suborn  two  men,  sons  of  Belial,  against  him;  and  let 
them  bear  false  witness,  that  he  hath  blasphemed  God 
and  the  king;  and  then  carry  him  out,  and  stone  him, 
and  so  let  him  die.”9 

And  the  men  of  the  city,  the  ancients  and  the  nobles, 
that  dwelt  with  him  in  the  city,  did  as  Jezabel  had  com¬ 
manded  them,  and  as  it  was  written  in  the  letters  which 
she  had  sent  to  them;  they  proclaimed  a  fast  and  made 
Naboth  sit  among  the  chief  of  the  people.  And  bringing 
two  men,  sons  of  the  devil,  they  made  them  sit  against 

him;  and  they,  like  men  of  the  devil,  bore  witness  against 

* 

him  before  the  people,  saying,  “Naboth  hath  blasphemed 
God  and  the  king.”  Wherefore  they  brought  him  forth 
without  the  city  and  stoned  him  to  death.10  And  they 
sent  to  Jezabel,  saying,  “Naboth  is  stoned  and  is  dead.” 

And  it  came  to  pass  when  Jezabel  heard  that  Naboth 
was  stoned  and  dead,  that  she  said  to  Achab,  “Arise  and 


186 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


take  possession  of  the  vineyard  of  Naboth,  the  Jezrahelite 
who  would  not  agree  with  thee  and  give  it  thee  for  money; 
for  Naboth  is  not  alive,  but  dead.” 

And  when  Achab  heard  this,  to  wit,  that  Naboth  was 
dead,  he  arose  and  went  down  to  the  vineyard  of  Naboth, 

the  Jezrahelite,  to 
take  possession  of  it. 

And  the  word  of 
the  Lord  came  to 
Elias,  the  Thesbite, 
saying,  “Arise,  and 
go  down  to  meet 
Achab,  king  of 
Israel,  who  is  in 
Samaria :  behold  he 
is  going  down  to  the 
vineyard  of  Naboth 
to  take  possession 
of  it;  and  thou  shalt 
speak  to  him  say¬ 
ing,  ‘Thus  said  the 
Lord :  Thou  hast 
The  Death  of  jezabel.  slain;  moreover, 

also  thou  hast  taken  possession.’  And  after  these  words 
thou  shalt  add,  ‘Thus  saith  the  Lord:  In  this  place 
wherein  the  dogs  have  licked  the  blood  of  Naboth,  they 
shall  lick  thy  blood  also.’  ”n 

And  Achab  said  to  Elias,  “Hast  thou  found  me,  my 
enemy?  ” 

He  said,  k‘I  have  found  thee,  because  thou  art  sold  to 
do  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord.  Behold  I  will  bring  evil 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


187 


upon  thee,  and  I  will  cut  down  thy  posterity;  and  I  will 
make  thy  house  like  the  house  of  Jeroboam,  the  son  of 
Nabat,  and  like  the  house  of  Baasa,  the  son  of  Ahias; 
for  what  thou  hast  done  to  provoke  Me  to  anger,  and  for 
making  Israel  to  sin.”  And  of  Jezabel  also  the  Lord 
spoke,  saying,  “The  dogs  shall  eat  Jezabel  in  the  field 
of  Jezrahel.”12 

And  when  Achab  had  heard  these  words,  he  rent  his 
garments,  and  put  hair-cloth  upon  his  flesh,  and  fasted 
and  slept  in  sack-cloth,  and  walked  with  his  head  cast 
down. 

The  Ascent  of  Elias  into  Heaven  :  And  it  came  to 
pass,  when  the  Lord  would  take  up  Elias  into  Heaven 
by  a  whirlwind,  that  Elias  and  Eliseus  were  going  from 
Galgal.  And  Elias  said  to  Eliseus,  “Stay  thou  here, 
because  the  Lord  hath  sent  me  as  far  as  Bethel.” 

And  Eliseus  said  to  him,  “As  the  Lord  liveth,  and 
as  thy  soul  liveth,  I  will  not  leave  thee.” 

And  when  they  were  come  down  to  Bethel,  the  sons 
of  the  prophets  that  were  in  Bethel,  came  forth  to  Eliseus 
and  said  to  him,  “Dost  thou  not  know  that  this  day  the 
Lord  will  take  away  thy  master  from  thee?” 

And  he  answered,  “I  know  it;  hold  your  peace.” 

And  Elias  said  to  Eliseus,  “Stay  here  because  the 
Lord  hath  sent  me  to  Jericho.” 

And  he  said,  “As  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  thy  soul 
liveth,  I  will  not  leave  thee.” 

And  when  they  were  come  to  Jericho,  the  sons  of  the 
prophets  that  were  at  Jericho,  came  to  Eliseus,  and  said 


188 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


to  him,  “Dost  thou  not  know  that  this  day  the  Lord  wilt 

take  away  thy  master  from  thee?” 

And  he  said;  “I  know  it;  hold  your  peace.” 

And  Elias  said  to  him,  “Stay  here  because  the  Lord 

hath  sent  me  as  far 

as  the  Jordan.” 

And  he  said, 

4 ‘As  the  Lord  liveth, 

and  as  thv  soul 

liveth,  I  will  not 

leave  thee.” 

And  they  two 

went  on  together ; 

and  fifty  men  of  the 

sons  of  the  prophets 

followed  them,  and 

stood  in  sight  at  a 

distance ;  but  they 

two  stood  by  the 

Jordan.  And  Elias 

took  his  mantle  and 

folded  it  together, 

and  struck  the 
The  Ascent  of  Elias  into  Heaven.  waters;  and  they 

were  divided  hither  and  thither;  and  they  both  passed 
over  on  dry  ground. 

And  when  they  were  gone  over  Elias  said  to  Eliseus, 
“Ask  what  thou  wilt  have  me  to  do  for  thee  before  I  be 
taken  away  from  thee.” 

And  Eliseus  said,  “I  beseech  thee  that  in  me  may 
be  thy  double  spirit.”13 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


189 


And  he  answered,  “Thou  hast  asked  a  hard  thing; 
nevertheless,  if  thou  see  me  when  I  am  taken  from  thee, 
thou  shalt  have  what  thou  hast  asked;  but  if  thou  see 
me  not,  thou  shalt  not  have  it.” 

And  as  they  went  on,  walking  and  talking  together, 
behold,  a  fiery  chariot,  and  fiery  horses  parted  them  both 
asunder;  and  Elias  went  up  by  a  whirlwind  into  Heaven. 
And  Eliseus  saw  him  and  cried,  “My  father;  my  father; 
the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  the  driver  thereof.”14  And  he 
saw  him  no  more. 

And  he  took  hold  of  his  own  garments  and  rent 
them  in  two  pieces.  And  he  took  up  the  mantle  of 
Elias  that  fell  from  him;  and  going  back,  he  stood  upon 
the  bank  of  the  Jordan;  and  he  struck  the  waters  with 
the  mantle  of  Elias,  that  had  fallen  from  him;  and  they 
were  not  divided.  And  he  said,  “Where  now  is  the  God 
of  Elias?”  And  he  struck  the  waters,  and  they  were 
divided  hither  and  thither;  and  Eliseus  passed  over. 

And  the  sons  of  the  prophets  at  Jericho,  who  were 
over-against  him,  seeing  it,  said,  “The  spirit  of  Elias  hath 
rested  upon  Eliseus.”  And  coming  to  meet  him,  they 
worshipped  him,  falling  to  the  ground. 

Naaman,  the  Leper:  At  this  time  there  dwelled  in 
Syria  a  man  named  Naaman.  He  was  general  of  the 
army  of  the  king  of  Syria,  and  a  great  man  with  his 
master,  and  honorable,  for  by  him  the  Lord  gave  deliver¬ 
ance  to  Syria;  and  he  was  a  valiant  man,  and  rich;  but 
a  leper. 

Now  there  had  gone  out  robbers  from  Syria  and  had  led 
away  captive  out  of  the  land  of  Israel,  a  little  maid;  and 


190 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


she  waited  upon  Naaman’s  wife.  And  she  said  to  her 
mistress,  “I  wish  my  master  had  been  with  the  prophet 
that  is  in  Samaria;  he  would  certainly  have  healed  him 
of  the  leprosy  which  he  hath.” 

Then  Naaman  went  in  to  his  lord,  and  told  him  saying, 
“Thus  and  thus  saith  the  girl  from  the  land  of  Israel.” 

And  the  king  of  Syria  said  to  him,  “Go,  and  I  will 
send  a  letter  to  the  king  of  Israel.” 

And  he  departed,  and  took  with  him  ten  talents  of 
silver,  and  six  thousand  pieces  of  gold,  and  ten  changes 
of  raiment;  and  brought  the  letter  to  the  king  of  Israel 
in  these  words,  “When  thou  shalt  receive  this  letter, 
know  that  I  have  sent  to  thee  Naaman,  my  servant,  that 
thou  mayest  heal  him  of  his  leprosy.” 

And  when  the  king  of  Israel  had  read  the  letter,  he 
rent  his  garments,  and  said,  “Am  I  God,  to  be  able  to  kill 
and  give  life,  that  this  man  hath  sent  to  me  to  heal  a  man 
of  his  leprosy?  Mark  and  see  how  he  seeketh  occasion 
against  me.”15 

And  when  Eliseus,  the  man  of  God,  had  heard  this, 
to  wit,  that  the  king  of  Israel  had  rent  his  garments,  he 
sent  to  him  saying,  “Why  hast  thou  rent  thy  garments? 
Let  him  come  to  me,  and  let  him  know  that  there  is  a 
prophet  in  Israel.” 

So  Naaman  came  with  his  horses  and  chariots,  and 
stood  at  the  door  of  the  house  of  Eliseus.  And  Eliseus 
sent  a  messenger  to  him  saying,  “  Go  and  wash  seven  times 
in  the  Jordan,  and  thy  flesh  shall  recover  health,  and  thou 
shalt  be  clean.”  And  Naaman  was  angry  and  went  away 
saying,  “I  thought  he  would  have  come  out  to  me,  and 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


191 


standing  would  have  invoked  the  name  of  the  Lord  his 
God,  and  touched  with  his  hand  the  place  of  the  leprosy, 
and  healed  me.  Are  not  the  Abana,  and  the  Pharphar, 
rivers  of  Damascus,  better  than  all  the  waters  of  Israel, 
that  I  may  wash  in 
them  and  be  made 
clean?”  So,  as  he 
turned  and  was  go¬ 
ing  away,  with  in¬ 
dignation,  his  ser¬ 
vants  came  to  him, 
and  said  to  him, 

“Father,  if  the  pro¬ 
phet  had  bid  thee 
do  some  great  thing, 
surely  thou  shouldst 
have  done  it;  how 
much  rather  what 
he  now  hath  said  to 
thee;  'Wash,  and 
thou  shalt  be 
clean.’  ”  Then  he 

went  down,  and 
Washed  in  tllO  Jor  N3.3.m3.n  cit  th.0  House  of  Eliseus® 

dan  seven  times  according  to  the  word  of  the  man  of 
God.  And  his  flesh  was  restored,  like  the  flesh  of  a  little 
child;  and  he  was  made  clean. 

And  returning  to  the  man  of  God  with  all  his  train,  he 
came  and  stood  before  him,  and  said,  “In  truth,  I  know 
there  is  no  other  God  in  all  the  earth;  but  only  in  Israel: 
I  beseech  thee,  therefore,  take  a  blessing  of  thy  servant.”16 


192 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


But  he  answered,  “As  the  Lord  liveth,  before  whom  I 
stand,  I  will  receive  none.’’  And  when  he  pressed  him, 
he  still  refused. 

And  Naaman  said,  “As  thou  wilt;  but  I  beseech  thee, 
grant  to  me,  thy  servant,  to  take  from  hence,  two  mules’ 
burden  of  earth;17  for  thy  servant  will  not  henceforth 
offer  holocaust  or  victim  to  other  gods,  but  to  the  Lord. 
But  there  is  only  this  for  which  thou  shalt  entreat  the 
Lord  for  thy  servant:  when  my  master  goeth  into  the 
temple  of  Remmon18  to  worship,  and  he  leaneth  upon  my 
hand,  if  I  bow  down  in  the  temple  of  Remmon  when  he 
boweth  down  in  the  same  place, — that  the  Lord  pardon 
me,  thy  servant,  for  this  thing.” 

And  he  said  to  him,  “Go  in  peace.” 

So  he  departed  from  him  in  the  springtime  of  the 
earth. 

But  Giezi,  the  servant  of  the  man  of  God,  said,  “My 
master  hath  spared  Naaman,  this  Syrian,  in  not  receiving 
of  him  that  which  he  brought.  As  the  Lord  liveth,  I  will 
run  after  him,  and  take  something  of  him.”  And  Giezi 
followed  after  Naaman. 

And  when  Naaman  saw  him  running  after  him,  he 
leapt  down  from  his  chariot  to  meet  him,  and  said,  “Is 
all  well?” 

And  he  said,  “Well.  My  master  hath  sent  me  to  thee 
saying,  4 Just  now  there  are  come  to  me  from  Mount 
Elipraim,  two  young  men  of  the  sons  of  the  prophets; 
give  them  a  talent  of  silver,  and  two  changes  of  garments.’  ” 

And  Naaman  said,  “It  is  better  that  thou  take  two 
talents.”  And  he  forced  him,  and  bound  two  talents  of 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


193 


silver  in  two  bags,  and  two  changes  of  garments,  and  laid 
them  upon  two  of  his  servants;  and  they  carried  them 
before  him.  And  when  he  was  come  (and  now  it  was  the 
evening),  he  took  them  from  their  hands,  and  laid  them  up 
in  the  house,  and  sent  the  men  away ;  and  they  departed ; 
but  he  went  in,  and  stood  before  his  master. 

And  Eliseus  said,  “Whence  comest  thou,  Geizi?” 

He  answered,  “Thy  servant  went  no  whither.” 

But  he  said,  “Was  not  my  heart  present  when  the  man 
turned  back  from  his  chariot  to  meet  thee?  So  now 
thou  hast  received  money  and  received  garments,  to  buy 
olive-yards,  and  vineyards,  and  sheep,  and  oxen,  and  men 
servants,  and  maid  servants.  But  the  leprosy  of  Naaman 
shall  stick  to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  forever.” 

And  he  went  out  from  him,  a  leper  as  white  as  snow. 
/ 

Eliseus  and  the  Horses  and  Chariots  of  Fire: 
Now  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things  that  the  king  of 
Syria  warred  against  Israel;  and  he  took  counsel  with 
his  servants,  saying,  “In  such  and  such  places,  let  us  lay 
ambushes.” 

And  Eliseus  sent  to  the  king  of  Israel,  saying,  “Be¬ 
ware  that  thou  pass  not  to  such  a  place,  for  the  Syrians  are 
there  in  ambush.” 

And  the  king  of  Israel  sent  to  the  place  which  the  man 
of  God  had  told  him,  and  looked  well  to  himself  there, 
not  once  nor  twice.19 

And  the  heart  of  the  king  of  Syria  was  troubled  for 
this  thing;20  and  calling  together  his  servants,  he  said, 
“Why  do  you  not  tell  me  who  it  is  that  betrays  me  to  the 
king  of  Israel?” 


194 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  one  of  his  servants  said,  “No  one  my  lord,  0 
king,  but  Eliseus  the  prophet  that  is  in  Israel  telleth  the 
king  of  Israel  all  the  words  that  thou  speakest  in  thy 
privy  chamber.” 

And  he  said  to  them,  “Go  and  see  where  he  is,  that  I 

may  send  and  take 
him.” 

And  they  told 
him  saying,  “  Be¬ 
hold,  he  is  in  Do¬ 
than.” 

Therefore  he 
sent  thither  horses 
and  chariots  and 
the  strength  of  the 
army ;  and  they 
came  by  night  and 
beset  the  city. 

And  the  servant 
of  the  man  of  God 
rising  early,  went 
out,  and  saw  an 
army  round  about  the  city,  and  horses  and  chariots;  and 
he  told  him,  saying,  “Alas!  Alas!  Alas!  my  lord,  what 
shall  we  do?” 

But  he  answered,  “Fear  not;  for  there  are  more  with 
us  than  with  them.”  And  Eliseus  prayed,  and  said, 
“Lord-  open  his  eyes,  that  he  may  see.”  And  the  Lord 
opened  the  eyes  of  the  servant,  and  he  saw;  and  behold, 
the  mountain  was  full  of  horses  and  chariots  of  fire,  round 
about  Eliseus. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  ISRAEL 


195 


And  the  enemies  came  down  to  him;  but  Eliseus 
prayed  to  the  Lord,  saying,  4 ‘Strike,  I  beseech  thee,  this 
people  with  blindness.”  And  the  Lord  struck  them  with 
blindness,  according  to  the  word  of  Eliseus. 

And  Eliseus  said  to  them,  “This  is  not  the  way,  neither 
is  this  the  city;  follow  me  and  I  will  show  you  the  man 
whom  you  seek.”  So  he  led  them  into  Samaria.  And 
when  they  were  come  into  Samaria,  Eliseus  said,  “Lord, 
open  the  eyes  of  these  men,  that  they  may  see.”  And 
the  Lord  opened  their  eyes,  and  they  saw  themselves  to 
be  in  the  midst  of  Samaria. 

And  the  king  of  Israel  said  to  Eliseus,  when  he  saw 
them,  “My  father,  shall  I  kill  them?” 

And  he  said,  “Thou  shalt  not  kill  them,  for  thou 
didst  not  take  them  with  thy  sword  or  thy  bow,  that 
thou  mayest  kill  them;  but  set  bread  and  water  before 
them,  that  they  may  eat  and  drink,  and  go  to  their 
master.” 

And  a  great  provision  of  meats  was  set  before  them; 
and  they  eat  and  drank;  and  he  let  them  go;  and  they 
went  away  to  their  master. 

The  Fall  of  the  Kingdom -of  Israel:  But  the 
children  of  Israel  hearkened  not  to  the  words  of  the 
prophets  whom  the  Lord  had  sent  to  testify  to  them; 
they  hardened  their  necks,  like  to  the  neck  of  their 
fathers,  who  would  not  obey  the  Lord  their  God.  And 
they  rejected  His  ordinances,  and  the  covenant  that  He 
made  with  their  fathers,  and  the  testimonies  which  He 
testified  against  them;  and  they  followed  vanities,  and 


196 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


acted  vainly;  and  they  followed  the  nations  that  were 
round  about  them,  concerning  which  the  Lord  had 
commanded  them  that  they  should  not  do  as  they  did. 
And  they  forsook  all  the  precepts  of  the  Lord  their  God: 
and  they  made  to  themselves  two  molten  calves,  and 
groves,  and  adored  all  the  host  of  Heaven;21  and  they 
served  Baal,  and  consecrated  their  sons  and  daughters 
through  fire;22  and  they  gave  themselves  to  divinations 
and  soothsay ings;  and  they  delivered  themselves  up  to 
do  evil  before  the  Lord,  to  provoke  Him. 

And  the  Lord  was  very  angry  with  Israel,  and  re¬ 
moved  them  from  His  sight.  For  it  came  to  pass  in  the 
days  of  Phacee,  king  of  Israel,  that  Theglathphalasar, 
king  of  Assyria,  came  and  took  Aion,  and  Cedes,  and 
Asor,  and  Galaad,  and  Galilee,  and  all  the  land  of  Naph- 
tali,  and  carried  them  captives  into  Assyria.  And  in  the 
days  of  Osee,  who  was  king  of  Israel  after  Phacee,  came 
up  Salmanasar,  king  of  the  Assyrians  who  took  Samaria, 
and  carried  Israel  away  to  Assyria;  and  he  placed  them 
in  Hala  and  Habor,  by  the  river  of  Gozan,  in  the  cities  of 
the  Medes.  And  the  king  of  the  Assyrians  brought 
people  from  Babylon  and  from  Cutha  and  from  Avah, 
and  from  Emath,  and  from  Sepharvaim,  and  placed  them 
in  the  cities  of  Samaria,  instead  of  the  children  of  Israel; 
and  they  possessed  Samaria,  and  dwelled  in  the  cities 
thereof. 


XI. 


THE  STORY  OF  JUDITH. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  twelfth  year  of  his  reign 
that  Nebuchodonosor,  king  of  the  Assyrians,  who  reigned 
in  Ninive,  the  great  city,  fought  against  the  king  of 
Medes,  and  overcame  him.  Then  was  his  kingdom  exalted, 
and  his  heart  was  elevated ;  and  he  sent  to  all  that  dwelt 
in  the  countries  round  about,  even  to  Jerusalem  and  all 
the  land  of  Jesse  till  you  come  to  the  borders  of  Ethiopia. 
To  all  these  the  king  of  the  Assyrians  sent  messengers. 
But  they  all  with  one  mind  refused,  and  sent  them  back, 
empty,  and  rejected  them  without  honor. 

Then  the  king  being  angry  against  all  that  land  swore 
by  his  throne  and  kingdom  that  he  would  revenge  himself 
of  those  countries.  And  he  called  all  the  ancients  and 
all  the  governors  and  his  officers  of  war  and  communicated 
to  them  the  secret  of  his  counsel.  And  he  said  that  his 
thoughts  were  to  bring  all  the  earth  under  his  empire. 
And  when  this  saying  pleased  them  all,  the  king  called 
Holofernes,  the  general  of  his  armies  and  said  to  him, 
“  Go  out  against  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  west,  and  against 
them  especially  that  despised  my  commandment.  Thy 
eye  shall  not  spare  any  kingdom,  and  all  the  strong  cities 
thou  shalt  bring  under  my  yoke.” 

Then  Holofernes  went  forth,  he  and  all  the  army, 
with  chariots  and  horsemen  and  archers  who  covered  the 
face  of  the  earth  like  locusts.  And  he  went  up  to  all  their 


198 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


castles  and  took  all  the  strong  places;  and  he  both 
destroyed  their  cities  and  cut  down  their  groves.  For 
the  king  had  commanded  him  to  destroy  all  the  gods  of 
the  earth  that  he  only  might  be  called  god  by  these 
nations  which  could  be  brought  under  him  by  the  power 
of  Holofernes. 

Then  the  children  of  Israel,  who  dwelled  in  the  land  of 
Juda,  hearing  these  things  were  exceedingly  afraid. 
Dread  and  horror  seized  upon  their  minds  lest  the  same 
should  be  done  to  Jerusalem  and  to  the  temple  of  the 
Lord  that  had  been  done  to  other  cities  and  their  temples. 
And  they  sent  into  all  Samaria  round  about,  as  far  as 
Jericho,  and  seized  upon  all  the  tops  of  the  mountains; 
and  they  compassed  their  towns  with  walls,  and  gathered 
together  corn  for  provision  of  war.  And  all  the  people 
cried  to  the  Lord  with  great  earnestness;  and  they 
humbled  their  souls  in  fastings  and  prayers.  And  they 
who  offered  the  holocausts  to  the  Lord,  offered  the 
sacrifices  to  the  Lord  girded  with  hair-cloths,  and  with 
ashes  upon  their  heads.  And  they  all  begged  of  God  with 
all  their  heart  that  He  would  visit  His  people,  Israel. 

And  it  was  told  Holofernes,  the  general  of  the  army 
of  the  Assyrians,  that  the  children  of  Israel  prepared 
themselves  to  resist,  and  had  shut  up  the  ways  of  the 
mountains.  And  he  was  transported  with  exceeding  great 
fury  and  indignation  and  gave  orders  to  his  army  to  go 
up  against  the  city  of  Bethulia.  And  going  up  they 
came  by  the  hillside  to  the  top  which  looketh  toward 
Dothain. 

But  the  children  of  Israel,  when  they  saw  the  multi¬ 
tude  of  them,  prostrated  themselves  upon  the  ground. 


THE  STORY  OF  JUDITH 


199 


putting  ashes  upon  tlieir  heads,  praying  with  one  accord 
that  the  God  of  Israel  would  show  His  mercy  upon  His 
people.  And  taking  their  arms  of  war,  they  posted 
themselves  at  the  places  which,  by  a  narrow  path- way, 
led  directly  between  the  mountains;  and  they  guarded 
them  all  day  and  night. 

But  the  children  of  Ammon  and  Moab  came  to  Holo- 
f ernes  saying,  “The  children  of  Israel  trust  not  in  their 
spears,  nor  in  their  arrows,  but  the  mountains  are  their 
defense,  and  the  steep  hills  and  precipices  guard  them. 
AVherefore,  that  thou  mayest  overcome  them  without 
joining  battle,  set  guards  at  the  springs  that  they  may 
not  draw  water  out  of  them,  and  thou  shalt  destroy 
them  without  sword,  or  at  least,  being  wearied  out,  they 
will  yield  up  their  city  which  they  suppose,  because  it  is 
situated  in  the  mountains,  to  be  impregnable.” 

And  these  words  pleased  Holofernes  and  his  officers, 
and  he  placed  all  round  about  a  hundred  men  at  every 
spring.  And  when  they  had  kept  this  watch  for  full 
twenty  days,  the  cisterns  and  the  reserves  of  water  failed 
among  all  the  inhabitants  of  Bethulia,  so  that  there  was 
not  within  the  city  enough  to  satisfy  them,  no  not  for 
one  day,  for  water  was  daily  given  out  to  the  people  by 
measure. 

Then  all  the  men  and  women,  young  men  and  children, 
gathered  themselves  together,  and  for  many  hours,  with 
one  voice,  they  cried  to  God,  saying,  “We  have  sinned 
with  our  fathers,  we  have  done  unjustly,  we  have  com¬ 
mitted  iniquity;  have  Thou  mercy  on  us  because  Thou 
art  good;  or  punish  our  iniquities  by  chastising  us  Thy- 


200 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


self,  and  deliver  not  them  that  trust  in  Thee  to  a  people 
that  knoweth  not  Thee.” 

And  when,  being  wearied  with  these  cries  and  tired 
with  their  weepings  they  held  their  peace,  Ozias,  one  of 
the  chiefs  of  the  ancients,  rising  up  all  in  tears  said,  4  4  Be 
of  good  courage,  my  brethren,  and  let  us  wait  these  five 
days  for  mercy  from  the  Lord;  for  perhaps  He  will  put 
a  stop  to  His  indignation  and  will  give  glory  to  His  own 
name.  But  if  after  five  days  be  past  there  come  no  aid, 
we  will  do  the  things  which  you  have  spoken.” 

Now  at  that  time  it  happened  that  there  dwelled  in 
Bethulia  a  woman  named  Judith.  She  was  a  widow 
now  three  years  and  six  months.  And  she  made  herself 
a  private  chamber  in  the  upper  part  of  her  house  in  which 
she  abode,  shut  up  with  her  maids.  And  she  wore  hair 
cloth  and  fasted  all  the  days  of  her  life,  except  the  Sab¬ 
baths  and  the  feast  days  of  the  house  of  Israel.  And  she 
was  exceeding  beautiful,  and  her  husband  left  her 
great  riches  and  very  many  servants  and  large  possessions 
of  herds  of  oxen  and  flocks  of  sheep.  And  she  was 
greatly  renowned  among  all  because  she  feared  the  Lord 
very  much;  neither  was  there  any  one  that  spoke  an  ill 
word  of  her. 

When  therefore  Judith  had  heard  that  Ozias  had 
promised  that  he  would  deliver  up  the  city  after  the  fifth 
day  she  sent  for  the  ancients  and  said  to  them,  44  What  is 
this  word  by  which  Ozias  hath  consented  to  give  up  the 
city  to  the  Assyrians  if  within  five  days  there  come  no  aid 
to  us?  And  who  are  you  that  tempt  the  Lord?” 

And  Ozias  and  the  ancients  said  to  her,  44Pray  for  us, 
for  thou  art  a  holy  woman,  and  one  fearing  God.” 


THE  STORY  OF  JUDITH 


201 


And  Judith  said  to  them,  “That  which  I  intend  to  do, 
prove  ye  if  it  be  of  God,  and  pray  that  God  may  strengthen 
my  design.  You  shall  stand  at  the  gate  this  night,  and 
I  will  go  out  with  my  maid  servant.  And  pray  ye  that, 
as  you  have  said,  in  five  days  the  Lord  may  look  down 
upon  His  people,  Israel.  But  I  desire  that  you  search  not 
into  what  I  am  doing;  and,  till  I  bring  you  word,  let 
nothing  else  be  done  but  to  pray  for  me  to  the  Lord  our 
God.” 

And  Ozias,  the  prince  of  Juda  said  to  her,  “Go  in 
peace,  and  the  Lord  be  with  thee  to  take  revenge  of  our 
enemies.” 

So,  returning,  they  departed. 

And  when  they  were  gone  Judith  went  into  her  ora¬ 
tory,  and  putting  on  hair-cloth,  laid  ashes  on  her  head, 
and  falling  down  prostrate  before  the  Lord,  she  cried  to 
the  Lord  saying,  “O  God  of  the  heavens,  Creator  of  the 
waters  and  Lord  of  the  whole  creation,  hear  me,  a  poor 
wretch,  making  supplication  to  Thee  and  presuming  of 
Thy  mercy.  Remember,  O  Lord,  Thy  covenant,  and  put 
Thou  words  in  my  mouth,  and  strengthen  the  resolution 
in  my  heart,  that  Thy  house  may  continue  in  Thy  holi¬ 
ness,  and  all  nations  may  acknowledge  that  Thou  art 
God,  and  there  is  no  other  besides  Thee.” 

And  it  came  to  pass  when  she  had  ceased  to  cry  to  the 
Lord  that  she  rose  from  the  place  wherein  she  lay  prostrate 
before  the  Lord,  and  she  called  her  maid,  and  going  down 
into  her  house  she  took  off  her  hair-clotli,  and  put  away 
the  garments  of  her  widowhood  and  clothed  herself  with 
the  garments  of  gladness,  and  put  sandals  on  her  feet,  and 


202 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


took  bracelets  and  lilies  and  earlets  and  rings  and  adorned 
herself  with  all  her  ornaments.  And  the  Lord  also  gave 
her  more  beauty,  so  that  she  appeared  to  all  men’s  eyes 
incomparably  lovely.  And  she  gave  to  her  maid  a  bottle 
of  wine  to  carry,  and  a  vessel  of  oil  and  parched  corn  and 
dry  figs  and  bread  and  cheese,  and  went  out. 

And  when  they  came  to  the  gate  of  the  city,  they 
found  Ozias  and  the  ancients  of  the  city  watching,  and 
when  they  saw  her  they  were  astonished,  and  admired 
her  beauty  exceedingly.  But  they  asked  her  no  question, 
only  they  let  her  pass  saying,  “The  God  of  our  Fathers 
give  thee  grace,  and  may  He  strengthen  all  the  counsel 
of  thy  heart  with  His  power,  that  Jerusalem  may  glory 
in  thee  and  thy  name  may  be  in  the  number  of  the  holy 
and  just.” 

And  they  that  were  there  said,  all  with  one  voice,  “So 
be  it,  so  be  it.” 

But  Judith  praying  to  the  Lord,  passed  through  the 
gates,  she  and  her  maid. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  she  went  down  the  hill 
about  break  of  day,  that  the  watchmen  of  the  Assyrians 
met  her,  and  beholding  her  face,  they  wondered  exceed¬ 
ingly  at  her  beauty;  and  they  brought  her  to  the  tent 
of  Holofernes. 

And  when  she  was  come  into  his  presence,  forthwith 
Holofernes  was  caught  by  his  eyes;  and  he  ordered  that 
she  should  go  in  where  his  treasures  were  laid  up,  and 
bade  her  tarry  there  until  he  should  resolve  what  should 
be  done. 

And  his  servants  brought  her  into  the  tent  which  he 
had  commanded. 


THE  STORY  OF  JUDITH 


203 


And  when  she  was  going  in  she  desired  that  she  might 
have  liberty  to  go  out  at  night  and  before  day  to  prayer 
and  to  beseech  the  Lord.  And  he  commanded  his  cham¬ 
berlains  that  she  might  go  out  and  in  to  adore  her  God 
as  she  pleased  for  three  days.  And  she  went  out  in  the 
nights  into  the  valley  of  Bethulia.  And  as  she  came  up 
she  prayed  to  the  Lord  the  God  of  Israel  that  He  would 
direct  her  way  to  the  deliverance  of  His  people. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  fourth  day,  that  Holo- 
fernes  made  a  supper  for  his  servants;  and  he  drank 
exceeding  much  wine,  so  much  as  he  had  never  drunk 
in  his  life.  And  when  it  was  grown  late,  his  servants 
made  haste  to  their  lodgings;  and  they  were  all  over¬ 
charged  with  wine. 

And  Judith  was  all  alone  in  the  chamber;  but  Holo- 
fernes  lay  on  his  bed,  fast  asleep,  being  exceedingly  drunk. 

And  Judith  spoke  to  her  maid  to  stand  without, 
before  the  chamber,  and  to  watch.  And  Judith  stood 
before  the  bed,  praying  with  tears  with  the  motion  of 
her  lips,  in  silence,  saying,  “Strengthen  me,  O  Lord  God 
of  Israel,  and  in  this  hour  look  on  the  works  of  my  hands, 
that,  as  Thou  hast  promised,  Thou  mayest  raise  up  Jeru¬ 
salem,  Thy  city,  and  that  I  may  bring  to  pass  that  which 
I  have  purposed,  having  a  belief  that  it  might  be  done 
by  Thee.” 

And  when  she  had  said  this,  she  went  to  the  pillar 
that  was  at  his  bed’s  head,  and  loosed  his  sword  that 
hung  tied  upon  it.  And  when  she  had  drawn  it  out,  she 
took  him  by  the  hair  of  his  head  and  said.  “Strengthen 
me  O  Lord  at  this  hour.”  And  she  struck  twice  upon 


204 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


his  neck,  and  cut  off  his  head  and  took  off  his  canopy 
from  the  pillars,  and  rolled  away  his  headless  body. 
And  after  a  while  she  went  out  and  delivered  the  head 
of  Holof ernes  to  her  maid  and  bade  her  to  put  it  into  her 
wallet.  And  they  two  went  out  according  to  their  custom, 

as  it  were  to  prayer; 
and  they  passed  the 
camp,  and  having 
compassed  the  val¬ 
ley,  they  came  to 
the  gate  of  the 
city. 

And  J  udith,  from 
afar  off,  cried  to  the 
watchmen  upon  the 
walls,  “  Open  the 
gates  for  God  is 
with  us  who  hath 
shown  His  power  in 
Israel.” 

And  it  came  to 
pass,  when  the  men 
Judith  with  the  Head  of  Holofernes.  had  heard  her  Voice, 

that  they  called  the  ancients  of  the  city.  And  all  ran 
to  meet  her,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest;  for  they 
now  had  no  hopes  that  she  would  come.  And  lighting 
up  lights,  they  all  gathered  round  about  her.  And  she 
went  up  to  a  higher  place  and  she  commanded  silence 
to  be  made.  And  when  all  had  held  their  peace  Judith 
said,  44  Praise  ye  the  Lord  our  God  who  hath  not  forsaken 


THE  STORY  OF  JUDITH 


205 


them  that  hope  in  Him.”  Then  she  brought  forth  the 
head  of  Holofernes  out  of  the  wallet  and  showed  it  them 
saying,  “Behold  the  head  of  Holofernes,  the  general  of 
the  army  of  the  Assyrians,  and  behold  his  canopy  wherein 
he  lay  in  his  drunkenness,  where  the  Lord  our  God  slew 
him  by  the  hand  of  a  woman.” 

And  Ozias,  the  Prince  of  the  people  said  to  her, 
“Blessed  art  thou,  O  daughter,  by  the  Lord,  the  most 
high  God,  above  all  women  upon  the  earth.” 


Judith’s  Return  to  Bethulia. 


And  all  the  people  said,  ‘'So  be  it,  so  be  it.” 

And  Judith  said  to  all  the  people,  “Hear  ye,  my 
brethren,  hang  ye  this  head  upon  our  walls,  and  as  soon 
as  the  sun  shall  rise,  let  every  man  take  his  arms,  and 
rush  out,  not  as  going  down  beneath,  but  as  making  an 
assault.  Then  the  watchman  must  needs  run  to  awake 
their  prince  for  the  battle.  And  when  the  captain  of 
them  shall  run  to  the  tent  of  Holofernes  and  shall  find 
him  without  his  head,  wallowing  in  his  blood,  fear  shall 
fall  upon  them.  And  when  you  shall  know  that  they 


206 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


are  fleeing,  go  after  them  securely,  for  the  Lord  will 
destroy  them  under  your  feet.” 

And  immediately,  at  break  of  day,  they  hung  up  the 
head  of  Holofernes  upon  the  walls,  and  every  man  took 
his  arms,  and  they  went  out  with  a  great  noise  and 
shouting.  And  the  watchmen,  seeing  this,  ran  to  the 
tent  of  Holofernes.  And  they  that  were  in  the  tent 
came  and  made  a  noise  before  the  door  of  the  chamber  to 
awake  him,  endeavoring  by  art  to  break  his  rest,  that 
Holofernes  might  awake,  not  by  their  calling  him,  but  by 
their  noise;  for  no  man  durst  knock  or  open  and  go  into  the 
chamber  of  the  general  of  the  Assyrians.  But  after  waiting 
some  time,  in  vain,  Vagao,  one  of  the  chamberlains,  came 
near  to  the  curtain,  and  lifted  it  up ;  and  seeing  the  body 
of  Holofernes  lying  upon  the  ground  without  the  head, 
weltering  in  his  blood,  he  cried  out  with  a  loud  voice 
with  weeping,  and  rent  his  garments.  And  he  went 
into  the  tent  of  Judith,  and  not  finding  her,  he  ran  out 
to  the  people  and  said,  “One  Hebrew  woman  hath  made 
confusion  in  the  house  of  the  king;  for  behold,  Holo¬ 
fernes  lieth  upon  the  ground  and  his  head  is  not  on  him.” 
Which  when  the  chiefs  of  the  army  of  the  Assyrians 
heard,  they  all  rent  their  garments  and  an  intolerable  fear 
and  dread  fell  upon  them,  and  their  minds  were  troubled 
exceedingly;  and  there  was  a  very  great  cry  in  the  midst 
of  their  camp. 

And  when  all  the  army  heard  that  Holofernes  was 
beheaded,  courage  and  counsel  fled  from  them,  and  being 
seized  with  trembling  and  fear  they  thought  only  to  save 
themselves  by  flight;  so  that  no  one  spoke  to  his  neighbor, 


THE  STORY  OF  JUDITH 


207 


but  hanging  down  the  head,  leaving  all  things  behind, 
they  made  haste  to  escape  from  the  Hebrews.  And  the 
children  of  Israel,  pursuing  in  one  body,  defeated  all  that 
they  could  find. 

And  Judith  was  made  great  in  Bethulia,  and  she  was 
renowned  in  all  the  land  of  Israel.  And  she  abode  in 
her  house  a  hundred  and  five  years;  and  she  died  and 
was  buried  with  her  husband  in  Bethulia. 


XII. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  JUDA. 


Juda's  Unfaithfulness:  And  Juda  did  evil  in  the 
sight  of  the  Ford,  and  provoked  Him  above  all  that  their 
fathers  had  done,  in  their  sins  which  they  committed. 
For  they  also  built  them  altars  and  statues  and  groves 


upon  every  high  hill  and  under  every  green  tree.  There 
were  also  effeminate  in  the  land,  and  they  did  according 
to  all  the  abominations  of  the  people  whom  the  Lord 
had  destroyed  before  the  face  of  the  children  of  Israel. 

Even  King  Ozias  who  was  one  of  the  few  good  kings 
that  reigned  in  Juda,  when  he  became  strong,  neglected 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  JUDA 


209 


the  Lord  his  God.  For  going  into  the  temple  of  the 
Lord,  he  had  a  mind  to  burn  incense  upon  the  altar  of 
incense;  and  immediately,  Azarias  the  priest,  going  in 
after  him,  and  with  him  four  score  priests  of  the  Lord, 
most  valiant  men,  withstood  the  king,  and  said,  “It  doth 
not  belong  to  thee  Ozias,  to  burn  incense  to  the  Lord, 
but  to  the  priests,  that  is,  the  sons  of  Aaron,  who  are 
consecrated  for  this  ministry;  go  out  of  the  sanctuary; 
do  not  despise,  for  this  shall  not  be  accounted  to  thy 
glory  by  the  Lord  God.”  And  Ozias  was  angry;  and 
holding  in  his  hand  the  censer  to  burn  incense,  he  threat¬ 
ened  the  priests.  And  presently  there  arose  a  leprosy 
in  his  forehead,  before  the  priests,  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord,  at  the  altar  of  incense.  And  Azarias,  the  high  priest, 
and  all  the  rest  of  the  priests  looked  upon  him  and  saw 
the  leprosy  in  his  forehead;  and  they  made  haste  to 
thrust  him  out;  yea,  himself  also,  being  frightened 
hasted  to  go  out,  because  he  had  quickly  felt  the  stroke 
of  the  Lord.  And  Ozias,  the  king,  was  a  leper  unto  the 
day  of  his  death,  and  dwelled  in  a  house  apart.1 

And  so  it  came  to  pass  that  the  anger  of  the  Lord  was 
kindled  against  Juda  because  of  the  provocations  where¬ 
with  they  had  provoked  Him;  and  He  said,  “I  will  remove 
Juda  also  from  before  My  face,  as  I  have  removed  Israel; 
and  I  will  cast  off  this  city  of  Jerusalem  which  I  chose, 
and  the  house  of  which  I  said:  My  name  shall  be  there.” 

The  Prophesies  of  Jeremias:  And  word  came  to 
Jeremias,  the  prophet,  by  the  Lord  saying,  “Take  thee 
a  roll  of  a  book,  and  thou  shall  write  in  it  all  the  words 


210 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


that  I  have  spoken  against  Israel  and  Juda,  and  against 
all  the  nations,  from  the  first  day  that  I  spoke  to  thee.2 
If  so  be,  when  the  house  of  Juda  shall  hear  all  the  evils 
that  I  purpose  to  do  unto  them,  that  they  may  return 

every  man  from  his 
wicked  way;  and  I 
shall  forgive  their 
iniquity  and  their 
sin. 

So  Jeremias  called 
Baruch,  the  son  of 
Nerias;  and  Baruch 
wrote  from  the 
mouth  of  Jeremias 
all  the  words  of  the 
Lord  which  he  spoke 
to  him  upon  the  roll 
of  a  book. 

And  Jeremias 
commanded  Baruch 
saying,  44 1  am  shut 
up  and  cannot  go 
into  the  house  of 
the  Lord;  go  thou  in  therefore,  and  read  out  of  the  volume 
which  thou  hast  written  from  my  mouth,  the  words  of 
the  Lord,  in  the  hearing  of  all  the  people,  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord,  on  the  fasting  day.” 

And  Baruch  did  according  to  all  that  Jeremias,  the 
prophet,  had  commanded  him,  reading  out  of  the  volume 
the  words  of  the  Lord  in  the  house  of  the  Lord. 


Baruch  Writing  Jeremias’  Prophesies. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  JUDA 


211 


And  when  Micheas  had  heard  out  of  the  book  all  the 
words  of  the  Lord,  he  went  down  into  the  king’s  house 
to  the  secretary’s  chamber;  and  behold  all  the  princes 
sat  there.  And  Micheas  told  them  all  the  words  that  he 
had  heard  when  Baruch  read  out  of  the  volume  in  the 
hearing  of  the  people.  Therefore  all  the  princes  sent 
Judi  to  Baruch  saying,  “Take  in  thy  hand  the  volume 
in  which  thou  hast  read  in  the  hearing  of  the  people  and 
come.”  So  Baruch  took  the  volume  in  his  hand  and  came 
to  them.  And  they  said  to  him,  “Sit  down  and  read 
these  things  in  our  hearing.”  And  when  they  had  heard 
all  the  words  they  looked  upon  one  another  with  astonish¬ 
ment;  and  they  said  to  Baruch,  “We  must  tell  the  king 
all  these  words.”  And  they  asked  him,  saying,  “Tell 
us,  how  didst  thou  write  all  these  words  from  his  mouth?  ” 
And  Baruch  said  to  them,  “With  his  mouth  he  pro¬ 
nounced  all  these  words  as  if  he  were  reading  to  me,  and 
I  wrote  in  a  volume  with  ink.”  And  the  princes  said  to 
Baruch,  “Go  and  hide  thee,  both  thou  and  Jeremias,  and 
let  no  man  know  where  you  are.” 

And  they  went  in  to  the  king  into  the  court;  but  they 
laid  up  the  volume  in  the  chamber  of  Elisama,  the 
scribe.  And  they  told  all  the  words  in  the  hearing  of 
the  king.  And  the  king  sent  Judi  that  he  should  take 
the  volume,  who  bringing  it  out  of  the  chamber  of  Elisama, 
read  it  in  the  hearing  of  the  king. 

Now  the  king  sat  in  the  winter  house,  in  the  ninth 
month;  and  there  was  a  hearth  before  him  full  of  burn¬ 
ing  coals.  And  when  Judi  had  read  three  or  four  pages, 
he  cut  it  with  a  penknife  and  cast  it  into  the  fire  that 


212 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


was  upon  the  hearth,  till  all  the  volume  was  consumed 
with  the  fire  that  was  upon  the  hearth.3  And  the  king 
and  all  his  servants  that  had  heard  all  these  words  were 
not  afraid,  nor  did  they  rend  their  garments.  But  yet 
Elnathan,  and  Dalaias  and  Gamarias  spoke  to  the  king 

not  to  burn  the 
book;  but  he  heard 
them  not.  And  the 
king  commanded 
Jeremial  to  take  up 
Baruch,  the  scribe, 
and  Jeremias,  the 
prophet ;  b  u  t  t  h  e 
Lord  hid  them. 

And  the  word  of 
the  Lord  came  to 
Jeremias  after  that 
the  king  had  burnt 
the  volume  and  the 
words  that  Baruch 
had  written  from 
the  mouth  of  Jere¬ 
mias,  saying,  '‘Take  thee  again  another  volume  and  write 
in  it  all  the  former  words  that  were  in  the  first  volume 
which  Joakim  the  king  of  Juda  hath  burnt.  And  thou 
shalt  say  to  Joakim,  the  king  of  Juda,  ‘Thus  saith  the 
Lord:  Thou  hast  burnt  that  volume  saying,  Why  hast 
thou  written  therein  and  said  the  king  of  Babylon  shall 
come  speedily  and  shall  waste  this  land,  and  shall  cause 
to  cease  from  thence  man  and  beast;  therefore  thus  saith 


Reading  the  Prophesies  Before  the  King. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  JUDA 


213 


the  Lord  against  Joakim  the  king  of  Juda:  He  shall  have 
none  to  sit  upon  the  throne  of  David,  and  his  body  shall 
be  cast  out  to  the  heat  by  day,  and  the  frost  by  night; 
and  I  will  punish  him  and  his  seed  and  his  servants  for 
their  iniquities. 

And  I  will  bring 
upon  them  and 
upon  the  i  n  h  a  b  i- 
tants  of  Jerusalem 
and  upon  the  man 
of  Juda,  all  the  evil 
that  I  have  pro¬ 
nounced  against 
them,  but  they  have 
not  heard.’  ” 

And  Jeremias 
took  another  vol¬ 
ume  and  gave  it  to 
Baruch,  who  wrote 
in  it  from  the  mouth 
of  Jeremias,  all  the 
words  of  the  book 
which  Joakim,  the 
king  of  Juda,  had  burnt  with  fire;  and  there  were  added 
besides  many  more  words  than  had  been  before. 

The  Fall  of  Juda:  And  it  came  to  pass  that  the 
servants  of  Nebuchodonosor,4  king  of  Babylon,  came  up 
against  Jerusalem;  and  the  city  was  surrounded  with 
their  forts.  And  Nebuchodonosor,  king  of  Babylon, 


The  King  Destroying  the  Prophesies  of  Jeremias. 


214 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


came  to  the  city  with  bis  servants  to  assault  it.  And 
Joakim,  king  of  Juda,  went  out  to  the  king  of  Babylon, 
he  and  his  mother  and  his  servants  and  his  nobles;  and 

the  king  of  Babylon 
received  him  in  the 
eighth  year  of  his 
reign. 

And  King  Nebu- 
chodonosor  brought 
out  from  thence  all 
the  treasures  of  the 
house  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  treasures  of 
the  king’s  house; 
and  he  cut  in  pieces 
all  the  vessels  of 
gold  which  Solo¬ 
mon,  king  of  Israel, 
had  made  in  the 
temple  of  the  Lord, 
according  to  the 
The  Destruction  of  Jerusalem.  WOl’d  of  the  Lord. 

And  he  carried  away  all  Jerusalem,  and  all  the  princes 
and  all  the  valiant  men  of  the  army,  to  the  number  of 
ten  thousand,  into  captivity;  and  every  artificer  and 
smith;  and  none  were  left  but  the  poor  sort  of  people 
of  the  land.  And  he  carried  away  Joakim  into  Babylon 
and  the  king’s  mother. 


And  in  the  fifth  month,  the  seventh  day  of  the  month, 
that  is  the  nineteenth  year  of  the  king  of  Babylon,  came 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  JUDA 


215 


Nabuzardan,  commander  of  the  army,  a  servant  of  the 
king  of  Babylon,  into  Jerusalem.  And  he  burnt  the 
house  of  the  Lord,  and  the  king’s  house,  and  the  houses 
of  Jerusalem;  and  every  house  he  burnt  with  fire.  And 
all  the  army  of  the  Chaldees,  which  was  with  the  com¬ 
mander  of  the  troups,  broke  down  the  walls  of  Jerusalem 
round  about. 

And  Nabuzardan,  the  commander  of  the  army, 
carried  away  the  rest  of  the  people  that  remained  in  the 
city,  and  the  fugitives  that  had  gone  over  to  the  king  of 
Babylon,  and  the  remnant  of  the  common  people;  but 
of  the  poor  of  the  land,  he  left  some  dressers  of  vines 
and  the  husbandmen. 

So  Juda  was  carried  away  out  of  their  land. 


XIII. 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY. 

The  Elevation  of  Daniel  and  His  Companions:  It 
came  to  pass,  after  that  King  Nebuchodonosor  had 
returned  to  his  own  land,  that  he  spoke  to  Asphenez,  his 
chief  chamberlain,  that  he  should  bring  in  some  of  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  of  the  king’s  offspring,  and  of  the 
princes,  children  in  whom  there  was  no  blemish,  well 
favored  and  skilful  in  all  wisdom,  acute  in  knowledge 
and  instructed  in  science,  and  such  as  might  stand  in  the 
king’s  palace,  that  he  might  teach  them  the  learning 
and  the  tongue  of  the  Chaldeans.  And  the  king  ap¬ 
pointed  them  a  daily  provision  of  his  own  meat,  and 
of  the  wine  which  he  drank  himself,  that  being  nourished 
three  years,  afterwards  they  might  stand  before  the 
king. 

Now  there  was  among  them  of  the  children  of  Juda, 
Daniel,  Ananias,  Misael  and  Azarias.  And  the  chief 
chamberlain  gave  them  names:  to  Daniel,  Baltassar;  to 
Ananias,  Sidrach;  to  Misael,  Misach;  and  to  Azarias, 
Abdenego. 

But  Daniel  purposed  in  his  heart  that  he  would  not 
be  defiled  with  the  king’s  table,1  nor  with  the  wine 
which  he  drank;  and  he  requested  the  chief  chamberlain 
that  he  might  not  be  defiled.  And  God  gave  to  Daniel 
grace  and  mercy  in  the  sight  of  the  chief  chamberlain. 

And  the  chief  chamberlain  said  to  Daniel,  “I  fear  my 
lord  the  king,  who  hath  appointed  you  meat  and  drink; 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


217 


who  if  he  should  see  your  faces  leaner  than  those  of  the 
other  youths,  your  equals,  you  shall  endanger  my  head 
to  the  king.” 

And  Daniel  said  to  Malasar  whom  the  chief  chamber- 
lain  had  appointed  over  Daniel,  Ananias,  Misael  and 
Azarias,  “Try,  I  beseech  thee,  thy  servants  for  ten  days, 
and  let  pulse  be  given  us  to  eat  and  water  to  drink;  and 
look  upon  our  faces,  and  the  faces  of  the  children  that 


Daniel  and  His  Companions  Before  Nebuchodonosor. 


eat  the  king’s  meat;  and  as  thou  shalt  see,  deal  with  thy 
servants.” 

And  when  he  had  heard  these  words,  he  tried  them 
for  ten  days.  And  after  ten  days,  their  faces  appeared 
fairer  and  fatter  than  all  the  children  that  eat  of  the 
king’s  meat.  So  Malasa  took  their  portions  and  the 
wine  that  they  should  drink;  and  he  gave  them  pulse.2 

And  to  these  children  God  gave  knowledge,  and 
understanding  in  every  book,  and  wisdom:  but  to 
Daniel  the  understanding  also  of  visions  and  dreams. 


218 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  when  the  days  were  ended,  after  which  the  king 
had  ordered  they  should  be  brought  in,  the  chief  chamber- 
lain  brought  them  in  before  Nebuchodonosor.  And 
when  the  king  had  spoken  to  them  there  were  not  found 
among  them  all  such  as  Daniel,  Ananias,  Misael  and 
Azarias.  And  they  stood  in  the  king’s  presence.3  And 
in  all  matters  of  wisdom  and  understanding  that  the 
king  enquired  of  them  he  found  them  ten  times  better 
than  all  the  diviners  and  wise  men  that  were  in  all  his 
kingdom.  And  Daniel  continued  even  to  the  first  year 
of  King  Cyrus. 

i 

The  Three  Children  in  the  Fiery  Furnace:  King 
Nebuchodonosor  made  a  statue  of  gold,  of  sixty  cubits 
high,4  and  six  cubits  broad;5  and  he  set  it  up  in  the  plains 
of  Dura,  of  the  province  of  Babylon.  Then  Nebuchod¬ 
onosor,  the  king,  sent  to  call  together  the  nobles,  the 
magistrates,  and  the  judges,  the  captains,  the  rulers,  and 
the  governors,  and  all  the  chief  men  of  the  provinces,  to 
come  to  the  statue  which  King  Nebuchodonosor  had 
set  up.  Then  the  nobles,  the  magistrates  and  the  judges, 
the  captains,  and  rulers,  and  the  great  men  that  were 
placed  in  authority,  and  all  the  princes  of  the  provinces, 
were  gathered  together  to  come  to  the  dedication  of  the 
statue  which  King  Nebuchodonosor  had  set  up;  and  they 
stood  before  the  statue  which  King  Nebuchodonosor 
had  set  up. 

Then  a  herald  cried  with  a  strong  voice,  “To  you  it 
is  commanded,  O  nations,  tribes  and  languages,  that  in 
the  hour  that  you  shall  hear  the  sound  of  the  trumpet, 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


219 


and  of  the  flute,  and  of  the  harp,  of  the  sackbut,6  and  of  the 
psaltery,  and  of  the  symphony,7  and  of  all  kind  of  music, 
ye  shall  fall  down  and  adore  the  golden  statue  which 
King  Nebuchodonosor  hath  set  up;  but  if  any  man  shall 
not  fall  down  and  adore,  he  shall,  the  same  hour,  be 
cast  into  a  furnace  of  burning  fire.” 

Upon  this  therefore,  at  the  time  when  all  the  people 
heard  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  the  flute,  and  the  harp, 
of  the  sackbut,  and  the  psaltery,  and  of  all  kind  of  music, 
all  the  nations,  tribes,  and  languages  fell  down  and 
adored  the  golden  statue  which  King  Nebuchodonosor 
had  set  up. 

And  presently,  at  that  very  time,  some  Chaldeans 
came  and  accused  the  Jews,  and  said  to  King  Nebuchod¬ 
onosor,  “O  king,  live  forever:  thou,  O  king,  hast  made  a 
decree  that  every  man  that  shall  hear  the  sound  of  the 
trumpet,  the  flute,  and  the  harp,  of  the  sackbut,  and  the 
psaltery,  of  the  symphony,  and  of  all  kind  of  music,  shall 
prostrate  himself  and  adore  the  golden  statue;  and  if 
any  man  shall  not  fall  down,  he  should  be  cast  into  a 
furnace  of  burning  fire.  Now  there  are  certain  Jews 
whom  thou  hast  set  over  the  works  of  the  province  of 
Babylon,  Sidrach,  Misach  and  Abdenego;  these  men, 
O  king,  have  slighted  thy  decree;  they  worship  not  thy 
gods,  nor  do  they  adore  the  golden  statue  which  thou 
hast  set  up.” 

Then  Nebuchodonosor,  in  fury  and  in  wrath,  com¬ 
manded  that  Sidrach,  Misach,  and  Abdenego  should  be 
brought;  who  immediately  were  brought  before  the 
king.  And  Nebuchodonosor,  the  king,  spoke  to  them 


220 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  said,  “Is  it  true,  O  Sidrach,  Misach,  and  Abdenego, 
that  you  do  not  worship  my  gods,  nor  adore  the  golden 
statue  that  I  have  set  up?  Now  therefore,  if  you  be 
ready,  at  what  hour  soever  you  shall  hear  the  sound  of 

the  trumpet,  flute, 
harp,  sackbut,  and 
psaltery,  and  sym¬ 
phony,  and  all  kind 
of  music,  prostrate 
yourselves,  and 
adore  the  statue 
which  I  have  made; 
but  if  you  do  not 
adore,  you  shall  be 
cast,  the  same  hour, 
into  the  furance  of 
burning  fire  :  and 
who  is  the  God  that 
shall  deliver  you  out 
of  my  hand?” 

Sidrach,  Misach, 
and  Abdenego  an- 

The  Three  Children  in  the  Fiery  Furnace.  swered  and  said  to 

King  Nebuchodonosor,  “We  have  no  occasion  to  answer 
thee  concerning  this  matter;  for  behold  our  God,  whom 
we  worship,  is  able  to  save  us  from  the  furnace  of 
burning  fire,  and  to  deliver  us  out  of  thy  hands,  O 
king.  But  if  He  will  not,  be  it  known  to  thee,  O  king^ 
that  we  will  not  worship  thy  gods,  nor  adore  the  golden 
statue  which  thou  hast  set  up.” 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


221 


Then  was  Nebuchodonosor  filled  with  fury;  and  the 
countenance  of  his  face  was  changed  against  Sidrach, 
Misach,  and  Abdenego;  and  he  commanded  that  the  fur¬ 
nace  should  be  heated  seven  times  more  that  it  had  been 
accustomed  to  be  heated;  and  he  commanded  the 
strongest  men  that  were  in  his  army  to  bind  the  feet  of 
Sidrach,  Misach,  and  Abdenego,  and  to  cast  them  into 
the  furnace  of  burning  fire. 

And  immediately  these  men  were  bound  and  were 
cast  into  the  furnace  fire,  with  their  coats,  and  their 
caps,  and  their  shoes,  and  their  garments;  for  the  king’s 
commandment  was  urgent.  And  the  furnace  was  heated 
exceedingly. 

And  the  flame  of  the  fire  slew  those  men  that  had 
cast  in  Sidrach,  Misach,  and  Abdenego;  but  these  three 
men,  that  is,  Sidrach,  Misach,  and  Adbenego,  walked 
in  the  midst  of  the  flame  praising  God  and  blessing  the 
Lord. 

Then  Nebuchodonosor,  the  king,  was  astonished,  and 
rose  up  in  haste,  and  said  to  his  nobles,  “Did  we  not 
cast  three  men  bound  into  the  midst  of  the  fire?” 

They  answered  the  king,  and  said,  “True,  O  king.” 

He  answered  and  said,  “Behold  I  see  four  men,  loose 
and  walking  in  the  midst  of  the  fire;  and  there  is  no 
hurt  in  them;  and  the  form  of  the  fourth  is  like  the  Son 
of  God.” 

Then  Nebuchodonosor  came  to  the  door  of  the  burn¬ 
ing  fiery  furnace,  and  said,  “Sidrach,  Misach,  and 
Abdenego,  ye  servants  of  the  most  high  God,  go  ye  forth, 
and  come.” 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


And  immediately  Sidrach,  Misach,  and  Abdenego 
went  out  from  the  midst  of  the  fire.  And  the  nobles,  and 
the  magistrates,  and  the  judges,  and  the  great  men  of  the 
king,  being  gathered  together,  considered  these  men, 
that  the  fire  had  no  power  on  their  bodies,  and  that  not 
a  hair  of  their  head  had  been  singed,  nor  their  garments 
altered,  nor  the  smell  of  the  fire  had  passed  on  them. 

Then  Nebuchodonosor,  breaking  forth,  said,  “  Blessed 
be  the  God  of  them,  to  wit,  Sidrach,  Misach  and  Abden¬ 
ego,  who  hath  sent  His  angel  and  delivered  His  servants 
that  believed  in  Him;  and  they  changed  the  king’s  word, 
and  delivered  up  their  bodies  that  they  might  not  serve 
nor  adore  any  god  except  their  own.  By  me  therefore 
this  decree  is  made :  That  every  people,  tribe  and  tongue 
which  shall  speak  blasphemy  against  the  God  of  Sidrach, 
Misach  and  Abdenego,  shall  be  destroyed,  and  their  houses 
laid  waste;  for  there  is  no  other  god  that  can  save  in  this 
manner.” 

Then  the  king  promoted  Sidrach,  Misach  and  Abden¬ 
ego  in  the  province  of  Babylon. 

Baltassar’s  Feast:  Baltassar,8  the  king,  made  a 
great  feast  for  a  thousand  of  his  nobles;  and  every  one 
drank  according  to  his  age.  And  he  ‘  commanded  that 
they  should  bring  the  vessels  of  gold  and  silver  which 
Nebuchodonosor  his  father  had  brought  away  out  of  the 
temple  that  was  in  Jerusalem,  that  the  king  and  his 
nobles  might  drink  in  them.  Then  were  the  golden  and 
silver  vessels  brought,  which  he  had  brought  away  out 
of  the  temple  that  was  in  Jerusalem;  and  the  king  and 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


223 


his  nobles  drank  in  them.  They  drank  wine,  and  praised 
their  gods  of  gold  and  of  silver,  of  brass,  of  iron  and  of 
wood  and  of  stone.  In  the  same  hour  there  appeared 
fingers,  as  it  were  of  the  hand  of  a  man,  writing  over 
against  the  candlestick,  upon  the  surface  of  the  wall  of 
the  king’s  palace:  and  the  king  beheld  the  joints  of  the 
hand  that  wrote.  Then  was  the  king’s  countenance 
changed,  and  his  thoughts  troubled  him;  and  the  joints 
of  his  loins  were  loosed,  and  his  knees  struck  one  against 
the  other.  And  the  king  cried  out  aloud  to  bring  in  the 
wise  men,  the  Chaldeans  and  the  soothsayers.9  And  the 
king  spoke  and  said  to  the  wise  men  of  Babylon,  “Who¬ 
soever  shall  read  this  writing,  and  shall  make  known 
to  me  the  interpretation  thereof  shall  be  clothed  with 
purple  and  shall  have  a  golden  chain  on  his  neck  and 
shall  be  the  third  man  in  my  kingdom.” 

Then  came  in  all  the  king’s  wise  men;  but  they 
could  neither  read  the  writing,  nor  declare  the  interpreta¬ 
tion  to  the  king.  Wherewith  King  Baltassar  was  much 
troubled,  and  his  countenance  was  troubled;  and  his 
nobles  also  were  troubled. 

Then  the  queen,  on  occasion  of  what  had  happened 
to  the  king  and  his  nobles,  came  into  the  banquet  house, 
and  she  spoke  and  said,  “O  king,  live  forever:  let  not 
thy  thoughts  trouble  thee,  neither  let  thy  countenance 
be  changed.  There  is  a  man  in  thy  kingdom  that  hath 
the  spirit  of  the  holy  gods  in  him;  and  in  the  days  of  thy 
father,  knowledge  and  wisdom  were  found  in  him;  for 
King  Nebuchodonosor,  thy  father,  appointed  him  prince 
of  the  wise  men;  that  is  Daniel,  whom  the  king  named 


224 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Baltassar.  Now  therefore,  let  Daniel  be  called  for,  and 
he  will  tell  the  interpretation.” 

Then  Daniel  was  brought  in  before  the  king;  and  the 
king  spoke  to  him  and  said,  “Art  thou  Daniel  of  the 
children  of  the  captivity  of  Juda,  whom  my  father,  the 
king,  brought  out  of  Judea?  I  have  heard  of  thee,  that 
thou  hast  the  spirit  of  the  gods ;  and  excellent  knowledge 
and  understanding  and  wisdom  are  found  in  thee.  And 
now  the  wise  men,  the  magicians,  have  come  in  before 
me  to  read  this  writing  and  show  me  the  interpretation 
thereof;  and  they  could  not  declare  to  me  the  meaning 
of  this  writing.  Now  if  thou  art  able  to  read  the  writing, 
and  show  me  the  interpretation  thereof,  thou  shalt  be 
clothed  with  purple,  and  shalt  have  a  chain  of  gold  about 
thy  neck,  and  shalt  be  the  third  prince  in  my  kingdom.” 

To  which  Daniel  answered,  “Thy  rewards  be  to 
thyself,  and  the  gifts  of  thy  house  give,  to  another;  but 
the  writing  I  will  read  to  thee,  0  king,  and  show  thee 
the  interpretation  thereof.  O  king,  the  most  high  God 
gave  to  Nebuchodonosor,  thy  father,  a  kingdom;  and 
greatness,  and  glory,  and  honor.  And  for  the  greatness 
that  He  gave  to  him,  all  peoples,  tribes  and  languages 
trembled  and  were  afraid  of  him.  Whom  he  would,  he 
slew;  and  whom  he  would,  he  destroyed:  whom  he 
would,  he  set  up;  and  whom  he  would,  he  brought 
down.  But  when  his  heart  was  lifted  up,  and  his  spirit 
hardened  unto  pride,  he  was  put  down  from  the  throne 
of  his  kingdom,  and  his  glory  was  taken  away.  And 
he  was  driven  out  from  the  sons  of  men,  and  his  heart 
was  made  like  the  beasts,  and  his  dwelling  was  with  the 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


225 


wild  asses,  and  he  did  eat  grass  like  an  ox,  and  his  body 
was  wet  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  till  he  knew  that  the 
Most  High  ruled  in  the  kingdom  of  men,  and  that  He  will 
set  over  it  whomsoever  it  shall  please  Him.10 

“Thou  also,  his  son,  O  Baltassar,  hast  not  humbled 
thy  heart,  whereas  thou  knewest  all  these  things,  but 
hast  lifted  thyself  up  against  the  Lord  of  Heaven;  and 
the  vessels  of  His  house  have  been  brought  before  thee; 


Daniel  Interpreting  Baltasser’s  Vision. 


and  thou,  and  thy  nobles,  have  drunk  wine  in  them;  and 
thou  hast  praised  the  gods  of  silver  and  of  gold,  and  of 
brass,  of  iron  and  of  wood  and  of  stone,  that  neither  see, 
nor  feel;  but  the  God  who  hath  thy  breath  in  His  hand, 
and  all  thy  ways,  thou  hast  not  glorified.  Wherefore 
He  hath  sent  the  part  of  the  hand  which  hath  written  this 
that  is  set  down. 

“And  this  is  the  writing  that  is  written:  MANE, 
THECEL,  PHARES.  And  this  is  the  interpretation  of 
the  word: 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


226 

“MANE :  God  hath  numbered  thy  kingdom  and  hath 
finished  it; 

“THECEL:  thou  art  weighed  in  the  balance  and  art 
found  wanting; 

“PHARES:  thy  kingdom  is  divided  and  is  given  to 
the  Medes  and  Persians/’ 

Then,  by  the  king’s  command,  Daniel  was  clothed 
with  purple,  and  a  chain  of  gold  was  put  about  his  neck; 
and  it  was  proclaimed  of  him  that  he  had  power  as  the 
third  man  in  the  kingdom. 

The  same  night,  Baltassar,  the  Chaldean  king,  was 
slain.  And  Darias,  the  Mede,  succeeded  to  the  kingdom, 
being  three  score  and  two  years  old. 

Daniel  in  the  Lion’s  Den:  It  seemed  good  to 
Darias,  and  he  appointed  over  the  kingdom  a  hundred 
and  twenty  governors  to  be  over  his  whole  kingdom; 
and  three  princes  over  them,  of  whom  Daniel  was  one, 
that  the  governors  might  give  an  account  to  them,  and  the 
king  might  have  no  trouble.  And  Daniel  excelled  all  the 
princes  and  governors,  because  a  greater  spirit  of  God 
was  in  him.  And  the  king  thought  to  set  him  over  all 
the  kingdom;  whereupon  the.  princes  and  the  governors 
sought  to  find  occasion  against  Daniel  with  regard  to  the 
king:  and  they  could  find  no  cause,  nor  suspicion,  because 
he  was  faithful;  and  no  fault  or  suspicion  was  found  in 
him. 

Then  these  men  said,  “We  shall  not  find  any  occasion 
against  this  Daniel,  unless  perhaps  concerning  the  law 
of  his  God.”  Then  the  princes  and  the  governors  craftily 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


227 


suggested  to  the  king,  and  spoke  unto  him,  wkKing 
Darias,  live  forever:  all  the  princes  of  the  kingdom,  the 
magistrates  and  governors,  the  senators  and  judges,  have 
consulted  together  that  an  imperial  decree  and  an  edict 
be  published,  that  whosoever  shall  ask  any  petition  of  any 
god  or  man,  for  thirty  days,  but  of  thee,  O  king,  shall 
be  cast  into  the  den  of  lions.  Now  therefore,  O  king, 
confirm  the  sentence  and  sign  the  decree;  that  what  is 
decreed  by  the  Medes  and  Persians  may  not  be  altered, 
nor  any  man  be  allowed  to  transgress  it.” 

So  King  Darias  set  forth  the  decree,  and  established  it. 

Now  when  Daniel  knew  this,  that  is  to  say,  that  the 
law  was  made,  he  went  into  his  house  and  opening  the 
windows  in  his  upper  chamber  towards  Jerusalem,  he 
knelt  down  three  times  a  day,  and  adored  and  gave  thanks 
before  his  God,  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to  do  before. 
AYherefore  those  men,  carefully  watching  him,  found 
Daniel  praying  and  making  supplication  to  his  God; 
and  they  came  and  spoke  to  the  king  concerning  the 
edict:  ”0  king,  hast  thou  not  decreed  that  every  man 
that  should  make  a  request  to  any  of  the  gods  or  men, 
for  thirty  days,  but  to  thyself,  O  king,  should  be  cast 
into  the  den  of  lions?” 

And  the  king  answered  them  saying,  “The  word  is 
true  according  to  the  decree  of  the  Medes  and  Persians, 
which  it  is  not  lawful  to  violate.” 

Then  they  answered  and  said  before  the  king:  “  Daniel 
who  is  of  the  children  of  the  captivity  of  Juda,  hath  not 
regarded  thy  law,  nor  the  decree  that  thou  hast  made; 
but  three  times  a  day  he  maketh  his  prayer." 


228 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


Now  when  the  king  had  heard  these  words,  he  was 
very  much  grieved;  and,  in  behalf  of  Daniel,  he  set  his 
heart  to  deliver  him;  and  even  till  sunset  he  labored  to 
save  him.  But  those  men,  perceiving  the  king’s  design, 
said  to  him,  “Know  thou,  0  king,  that  the  law  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians  is,  that  no  decree  which  the  king 
hath  made,  may  be  altered.” 


Daniel  in  the  Lion’s  Den. 


Then  the  king  commanded,  and  they  brought  Daniel, 
and  cast  him  into  the  den  of  the  lions.  And  the  king  said 
to  Daniel,  “Thy  God,  whom  thou  always  servest,  He 
will  deliver  thee.”  And  a  stone  was  brought  and  laid 
upon  the  mouth  of  the  den,  which  the  king  sealed  with 
his  own  ring,  and  with  the  ring  of  his  nobles,  that  nothing 
should  be  done  against  Daniel.  And  the  king  went 
away  to  his  house,  and  laid  himself  down,  without 
taking  supper;  and  meat  was  not  set  before  him,  and 
even  sleep  departed  from  him. 


THE  BABYLONIAN  CAPTIVITY 


229 


Then  the  king,  rising  very  early  in  the  morning,  went 
in  haste  to  the  lions’  den;  and  coming  near  to  the  den, 
cried  with  a  lamentable  voice  to  Daniel,  and  said  to  him, 
‘‘Daniel,  servant  of  the  living  God:  hath  thy  God  whom 
thou  servest  always  been  able,  thinkest  thou,  to  deliver 
thee  from  the  lions?” 

And  Daniel,  answering  the  king,  said,  “O  king,  live 
forever:  my  God  hath  sent  His  angel,  and  hath  shut  up 


Daniel’s  Answer  to  the  King. 


the  mouth  of  the  lions,  and  they  have  not  hurt  me;  for¬ 
asmuch  as  before  Him,  justice  hath  been  found  in  me: 
yea,  and  before  thee,  0  king,  I  have  done  no  offence.” 

Then  was  the  king  exceedingly  glad  for  him;  and  he 
commanded  that  Daniel  should  be  taken  out  of  the  den. 
And  Daniel  was  taken  out  of  the  den;  and  no  hurt  was 
found  in  him,  because  he  believed  in  God.  And  by  the 
king’s  commandment,  those  men  were  brought  that  had 
accused  Daniel;  and  they  were  cast  into  the  lions’  den; 
they  and  their  children  and  their  wives:  and  they  did 


230 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


not  reach  the  bottom  of  the  den  before  the  lions  caught 
them  and  broke  all  their  bones  in  pieces. 

Then  King  Darias  wrote  to  all  the  people,  tribes  and 
languages,  dwelling  in  the  whole  earth:  '‘Peace  be 
multiplied  unto  you:  It  is  decreed  by  me  that  in  all  my 
empire  and  my  kingdom,  all  men  dread  and  fear  the 
God  of  Daniel;  for  He  is  the  living  and  eternal  God 
forever;  and  His  kingdom  shall  not  be  destroyed;  and 
His  power  shall  be  forever.  He  is  the  deliverer  and 
Savior,  doing  signs  and  wonders  in  Heaven  and  in  earth; 
who  hath  delivered  Daniel  out  of  the  lions’  den.” 

Now  Daniel  continued  unto  the  reign  of  Darias,  and 
the  reign  of  Cyrus,  the  Persian. 


XIV. 


THE  STORY  OF  ESTHER. 

In  the  days  of  Assuerus1,  who  reigned  from  India  to 
Ethiopia  over  a  hundred  and  twenty-seven  provinces, 
when  he  sat  on  the  throne  of  his  kingdom,  the  city  Susan 
was  the  capital  of  his  kingdom. 

Now  in  the  third  year  of  his  reign,  he  made  a  great 
feast  for  all  the  princes  and  for  his  servants,  for  the  most 
mighty  of  the  Persians  and  the  nobles  of  the  Medes,  and 
the  governors  of  the  provinces  in  his  sight,  that  he  might 
show  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  kingdom,  and  the 
greatness  and  boasting  of  his  power,  for  a  long  time, 
to  wit,  for  a  hundred  and  four-score  days.  And  when 
the  days  of  the  feast  were  expired,  he  invited  all  the 
people  that  were  found  in  Susan,  from  the  greatest  to 
the  least,  and  commanded  a  feast  to  be  made  in  the 
court  of  the  garden  and  of  the  wood,  which  was  planted 
by  the  care  and  the  hand  of  the  king. 

Now  on  the  seventh  day,  when  the  king  was  merry, 
and  after  very  much  drinking,  he  commanded  that  Queen 
Vasthi  be  brought  before  him,  with  the  crown  set  upon 
her  head,  to  show  her  beauty  to  all  the  people  and  the 
princes;  for  she  was  exceedingly  beautiful.  But  she 
refused  and  would  not  come  at  the  king’s  commandment. 
Whereupon,  the  king,  being  angry,  and  inflamed  with  a 
very  great  fury,  asked  the  wise  men,  who  according  to 
the  custom  of  kings,  were  always  near  his  person,  what 


232 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


sentence  ought  to  pass  upon  Vasthi.  And  Mamuchan, 
one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  wise  men,  answered,  “If  it  please 
thee  let  an  edict  go  out  from  thy  presence,  and  let  it  be 
written  according  to  the  law  of  the  Persians  and  of  the 
Medes,  which  must  not  be  altered,  that  Vasthi  come  in 
no  more  to  the  king,  but  another  that  is  better  than  her 
be  made  queen  in  her  place.”  And  this  counsel  pleased 
the  king  and  the  princes.  And  the  king  did  according 
to  the  counsel  of  Mamuchan. 

After  this,  when  the  wrath  of  King  Assuerus  was 
appeased,  he  remembered  Vasthi  and  what  she  had 
done  and  what  she  had  suffered;  and  the  king’s  servants 
and  his  officers  said,  “Let  young  women  be  sought  for 
the  king,  and  let  them  be  brought  to  the  city  of  Susan; 
and  whosoever  among  them  all  shall  please  the  king’s 
eyes,  let  her  be  queen  instead  of  Vasthi.”  And  the  word 
pleased  the  king;  and  he  commanded  that  it  should  be 
done  as  they  had  suggested. 

Now  there  was  a  man  in  the  city  of  Susan,  a  Jew, 
named,  Mardochai,  who  had  been  carried  away  from 
Jerusalem  at  the  time  that  Nebuchodonosor,  king  of 
Babylon,  carried  away  Jechonias,  king  of  Juda.  And  he 
had  brought  up  his  brother’s  daughter  Edissa,  who  by 
another  name  was  called  Esther;  and  she  was  exceeding 
fair  and  beautiful.  And  her  father  and  mother  being 
dead,  Mardochai  adopted  her  for  his  daughter. 

And  when  the  king’s  ordinance  was  noised  abroad, 
and  according  to  his  commandment  many  beautiful 
maidens  were  brought  to  Susan,  Esther  also  was  among 
the  rest.  And  Esther  pleased  the  king,  and  found  favor 


THE  STORY  OF  ESTHER 


233 


in  his  sight,  above  all  the  women,  and  he  set  the  royal 
crown  upon  her  head,  and  made  her  queen  instead  of 
Vasthi.  And  he  commanded  a  magnificent  feast  to  be 
prepared  for  all  the  princes  and  for  his  servants  for  the 
marriage  and  wedding  of  Esther.  And  he  gave  rest  to  all 
the  provinces  and  bestowed  gifts  according  to  princely 
magnificence. 

Now  it  happened  at  that  time  that  two  of  the  king’s 
chamberlains,  named  Bagathan  and  Thares,  who  were 


Esther  Before  Assuerus. 


porters  and  presided  in  the  first  entry  of  the  palace,  were 
angry,  and  they  designed  to  rise  up  against  the  king  and 
kill  him.  But  Mardochai,  who  abode  at  the  king’s  gate,2 
having  notice  of  it,  immediately  told  it  to  Queen  Esther; 
and  she  told  the  king  in  Mardochai’ s  name.  And  when  it 
was  inquired  into  and  found  out,  they  were  both  hanged 
on  a  gibbet.  And  it  was  put  in  the  histories,  and  recorded 
in  the  chronicles  before  the  king. 


234 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


After  these  things,  King  Assuerns  advanced  Aman  who 
was  of  the  race  of  Agag,3  and  he  set  his  throne  above  all 
the  princes  that  were  with  him.  And  all  the  king’s 
servants  that  were  at  the  doors  of  the  palace  bent  their 
knees  and  worshipped  Aman,  for  so  the  emperor  had 
commanded  them;  only  Mardochai  did  not  bend  his 
knee  nor  worship  him. 

And  the  king’s  servants  that  were  chief  at  the  doors 
of  the  palace  said  to  him,  “Why  dost  thou  alone  not 
observe  the  king’s  commandment?”  And  when  they 
were  saying  this  often  and  he  would  not  hearken  to  them 
they  told  Aman. 

Now  when  Aman  had  heard  this  he  was  exceeding 
angry.  And  he  counted  it  nothing  to  lay  his  hands  upon 
Mardochai  alone;  for  he  had  heard  that  he  was  of  the 
nation  of  the  Jews;  and  he  chose  rather  to  destroy  all 
the  nation  of  the  Jews  that  were  in  the  kingdom  of 
Assuerus. 

And  Aman  said  to  King  Assuerus,  “There  is  a  people 
scattered  through  all  the  provinces  of  thy  kingdom  that 
use  new  laws  and  ceremonies  and  moreover  despise  the 
king’s  ordinances.  Now  thou  knowest  very  well  that 
it  is  not  expedient  for  thy  kingdom  that  they  should 
grow  insolent  by  impunity;  if  it  please  thee,  decree  that 
they  may  be  destroyed,  and  I  will  pay  ten  thousand 
talents  to  thy  treasurers.” 

And  the  king  took  the  ring,  that  he  used,  from  his 
own  hand,  and  gave  it  to  Aman;  and  he  said  to  him,  “As 
to  the  money  which  thou  promisest  keep  it  for  thyself; 
but  as  to  the  people,  do  with  them  as  seemeth  good  to 


THE  STORY  OF  ESTHER 


235 


thee."  And  letters  sealed  with  the  king’s  ring  were 
sent  by  the  king’s  messengers  to  all  provinces  to  kill  and 
destroy  all  the  Jews,  both  young  and  old,  little  children 
and  women,  in  one  day,  that  is,  on  the  thirteenth  of  the 
twelfth  month,  which  is  called  Adar,  and  to  make  a 
spoil  of  their  goods. 

Now  when  Mardochai  had  heard  these  things  he  rent 
his  garments  and  put  on  sack-cloth,  strewing  ashes  on 
his  head;  and  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice  in  the  street 
in  the  midst  of  the  city  showing  the  anguish  of  his  mind. 
And  he  came  lamenting  in  this  manner  even  to  the  gate 
of  the  palace;  for  no  one  clothed  in  sack-cloth  might 
enter  the  king’s  court.  And  all  the  provinces,  towns 
and  places  to  which  the  king’s  cruel  edict  was  come  there 
was  great  mourning  among  the  Jews  with  fasting,  wailing, 
and  weeping,  many  using  sack-cloth  and  ashes  for  their 
bed. 

Then  Esther’s  maids  went  in  and  told  her.  And  when 
she  heard  it  she  was  in  consternation;  and  she  sent  a 
garment  to  clothe  Mardochai,  and  to  take  away  the 
sack-cloth;  but  he  would  not  receive  it.  And  she  called 
for  Athach,  one  of  the  king’s  chamberlains,  and  com¬ 
manded  him  to  go  to  Mardochai  and  learn  of  him  why 
he  did  this.  And  Athach  going  out,  went  to  Mardochai, 
who  was  standing  in  the  street  of  the  city,  before  the 
palace  gate.  And  Mardochai  told  him  all  that  had 
happened.  And  Athach  went  back  and  told  Esther. 
And  again  Esther  sent  to  Mardochai  in  these  words,  "Go 
and  gather  together  all  the  Jews  whom  thou  shalt  find 
in  Susan  and  pray  ye  for  me.  Neither  eat  nor  drink  for 


236 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


three  days  and  three  nights;  and  I  with  my  handmaids 
will  fast  in  like  manner;  and  then  I  will  go  in  to  the 
king,  which  is  against  the  law,  not  being  called,  and 
expose  myself  to  death  and  to  danger.”  So  Mardochai 
went  and  did  all  that  Esther  had  commanded  him. 

And  on  the  third  day  Esther  put  on  her  royal  apparel 
and  stood  in  the  inner  court  of  the  king’s  house,  over 
against  the  king’s  hall.  Now  he  sat  upon  his  throne  in 
the  hall  of  the  palace  over  against  the  door  of  the  house. 
And  when  he  saw  Esther  the  queen  standing,  she  pleased 
his  eyes,  and  he  held  out  to  her  the  royal  sceptre  which 
he  held  in  his  hand;  and  she  drew  near  and  kissed  the 
top  of  his  sceptre. 

And  the  king  said  to  her,  “What  wilt  thou,  Queen 
Esther;  what  is  thy  request?  If  thou  should  even  ask 
one-half  of  the  kingdom  it  shall  be  given  to  thee.” 

But  she  answered,  “  If  it  please  the  king,  I  beseech  thee 
to  come  to  me  this  day  and  Aman  with  thee  to  the 
banquet  which  I  have  prepared.” 

And  the  king  forthwith  said,  “Call  ye  Aman  quickly, 
that  he  may  obey  Esther’s  will.” 

So  the  king  and  Aman  came  to  the  banquet  which 
the  queen  had  prepared  for  them. 

And  the  king  said  to  her  after  he  had  drunk  wine 
plentifully,  “What  dost  thou  desire  should  be  given  thee; 
and  for  what  asketh  thou?  Although  thou  shouldst  ask 
the  half  of  my  kingdom  thou  shalt  have  it.” 

And  Esther  answered,  “My  petition  and  request  is 
this:  let  the  king  and  Aman  come  to  the  banquet  which 
I  have  prepared  them,  and  tomorrow  I  will  open  my 
mind  to  the  king.” 


THE  STORY  OF  ESTHER 


237 


So  Aman  went  out  that  day  joyful  and  merry.  And 
when  he  saw  Mardochai  sitting  before  the  gate  of  the 
palace,  and  that  he  not  only  did  not  rise  up  to  honor 
him,  but  did  not  so  much  as  move  from  the  place  where 
he  sat,  he  was  exceedingly  angry.  But  dissembling  his 
anger,  and  returning  into  his  house,  he  called  together 
to  him  his  friends  and  Zares,  his  wife,  and  he  declared 
to  them  the  greatness  of  his  riches,  and  the  multitude  of  his 
children,  and  with  how  great  glory  the  king  had  advanced 
him  above  all  his  princes  and  servants.  And  after  this, 
he  said,  ”  Queen  Esther  also  hath  invited  no  other  to  the 
banquet  with  the  king  but  me.  And  whereas  I  have  all 
these  things  I  think  I  have  nothing  so  long  as  I  see 
Mardochai,  the  Jew,  sitting  before  the  king’s  gate." 

Then  Zares,  his  wife,  and  the  rest  of  his  friends 
answered  him,  Order  a  great  beam  to  be  prepared,  fifty 
cubits  high,  and  in  the  morning  speak  to  the  king  that 
Mardochai  may  be  hanged  upon  it;  and  so  thou  shalt 
go  full  of  joy  to  the  banquet.” 

The  counsel  pleased  him  and  he  commanded  a  high 
gibbet  to  be  prepared. 

That  night  the  king  passed  without  sleep  and  he 
commanded  the  histories  and  chronicles  of  former  times 
to  be  brought  him.  And  when  they  were  reading  them 
before  him,  they  came  to  that  place  where  it  was  written 
how  Mardochai  had  discovered  the  treason  of  Bagathan 
and  Thares,  the  chamberlains,  who  sought  to  kill  King 
Assuerus. 

And  when  the  king  heard  this,  he  said,  "'What  honor 
and  reward  hath  Mardochai  received  for  this  fidelity?" 


238 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


His  servants  and  ministers  said  to  him,  “He  hath 
received  no  reward  at  all/ ’ 

And  the  king  said  immediately,  “  Who  is  in  the  court?  ” 
For  Aman  was  coming  to  the  inner  court  of  the  king’s 
house  to  speak  to  the  king  that  he  might  order  Mardochai 
to  be  hanged  upon  the  gibbet  which  was  prepared  for 
him. 

The  servants  answered,  “Aman  standeth  in  the 
court." 

And  the  king  said,  “Let  him  come  in.” 

And  when  he  was  come  in  he  said  to  him,  “What 
ought  to  be  done  to  the  man  whom  the  king  is  desirous 
to  honor?” 

But  Aman  thinking  in  his  heart  and  supposing  that 
the  king  would  honor  no  other  but  himself,  answered, 
“The  man  whom  the  king  desireth  to  honor  ought  to  be 
clothed  with  the  king’s  apparel,  and  to  set  upon  the 
horse  that  the  king  rideth  upon,  and  to  have  the  royal 
crown  set  upon  his  head;  and  let  the  first  of  the  king’s 
princes  and  nobles  hold  his  horse  and  going  through  the 
street  of  the  city  proclaim  before  him  and  say,  'Thus 
shall  he  be  honored  whom  the  king  hath  a  mind  to  honor.’  ” 

And  the  king  said  to  him,  “Make  haste  and  take  the 
robe  and  the  horse,  and  do  as  thou  hast  spoken  to  Mar¬ 
dochai,  the  Jew,  who  sitteth  before  the  gates  of  the  palace. 
Beware  thou  pass  over  any  of  those  things  which  thou 
hast  spoken.” 

So  Aman  took  the  robe  and  the  horse  and  arraying 
Mardochai  in  the  street  of  the  city  and  setting  him  on  the 
horse  went  before  him  and  proclaimed,  “This  honor  is 


THE  STORY  OF  ESTHER 


239 


he  worthy  of  whom  the  king  hath  a  mind  to  honor.’  And 
Mardochai  returned  to  the  palace  gate;  but  Aman  made 
haste  to  go  to  his  house,  mourning  and  having  his  head 
covered. 

And  Aman  told  Zares  his  wife,  and  his  friends  all  that 
had  befallen  him. 

And  the  wise  men 
whom  he  had  in 
counsel  and  his  wife 
answered  him,  4 ‘If 
Mardochai  be  of  the 
seed  of  the  Jews, 
before  whom  thou 
hast  begun  to  fall, 
thou  canst  not  re¬ 
sist  him.” 

As  they  were  yet 
speaking  the  king’s 
chamberlains  came 
and  compelled  him 
to  go  quickly  to  the 
banquet  which  the 
queen  had  prepared.  Esther  Confounding  Aman. 

So  the  king  and  Aman  went  in  to  drink  with  the  queen. 

And  the  king  said  to  her  again  the  second  day,  “What 
is  thy  petition,  Esther,  that  it  may  be  granted  thee?  And 
what  wilt  thou  have  done.  Although  thou  ask  the  half 
of  my  kingdom  thou  shalt  have  it." 

Then  she  answered,  “If  I  have  found  favor  in  thy 
sight,  O  king,  and  if  it  please  thee,  give  me  my  life  for 


240 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


which  I  ask,  and  my  people  for  which  I  request.  For  we 
are  given  up,  I  and  my  people,  to  be  destroyed,  to  be 
slain,  and  to  perish.  And  would  God  we  were  sold  for 
bondmen  and  bondwomen;  the  evil  might  be  borne  with, 
and  I  would  have  mourned  in  silence.  But  now  we  have 
an  enemy  whose  cruelty  redoundeth  upon  the  king.” 

And  King  Assuerus  answered  and  said,  “Who  is  this 
and  of  what  power  that  he  should  do  these  things?” 


Assuerus  Proclaiming  Freedom  to  the  Jews. 

And  Esther  said,  It  is  this  Aman  that  is  our  adversary 
and  most  wicked  enemy.” 

Aman  hearing  this  was  forthwith  astonished,  not 
being  able  to  bear  the  countenance  of  the  king  and  of 
the  queen. 

Then  Harbona,  one  of  the  chamberlains  that  stood 
waiting  on  the  king  said,  “Behold  the  gibbet  which 
Aman  hath  prepared  for  Mardochai  standeth  in  Aman’s 
house  fifty  cubits  high.” 


THE  STORY  OF  ESTHER 


241 


And  the  king  said,  “Hang  Aman  upon  it.” 

So  Aman  was  hanged  on  the  gibbet  which  he  had 
prepared  for  Mardochai.  And  the  king’s  wrath  ceased. 

And  on  that  day  King  Assuerus  gave  the  house  of 
Aman  to  Queen  Esther.4  And  he  took  the  ring  which 
he  had  commanded  to  be  taken  from  Aman,  and  gave  it  to 
Mardochai.  And  he  caused  letters  to  be  sent  in  the  king’s 
name,  sealed  with  his  ring,  to  all  the  provinces,  to  prevent 
the  former  letters  which  had  been  sent  out  by  Aman 
against  the  Jews,  and  in  all  the  cities  and  provinces, 
whithersoever  the  king’s  commandments  came,  there 
was  wonderful  rejoicings,  feasts  and  banquets,  keeping 
holy-days,  and  a  great  dread  of  the  name  of  the  Jews  fell 
upon  all. 


XV. 


THE  NATION’S  REBIRTH. 

The  Return  From  Captivity:  In  the  first  year  of 
Cyrus,1  king  of  the  Persians,  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  by 
the  mouth  of  Jeremias  might  be  fulfilled,2  the  Lord 
stirred  up  the  spirit  of  Cyrus,  king  of  the  Persians,  and  he 
made  proclamation  throughout  all  his  kingdom,  and  in 
writing  also,  saying, 

“  Thus  saitli  Cyrus,  king  of  the  Persians :  The  Lord,  the 
God  of  Heaven,  hath  given  to  me  all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
earth,  and  He  hath  charged  me  to  build  Him  a  house  in 
Jerusalem,  which  is  in  Judea.  Who  is  there  among  you 
of  all  His  people:  let  him  go  up  to  Jerusalem  which  is  in 
Judea,  and  build  the  house  of  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel: 
He  is  the  God  that  is  in  Jerusalem.  And  let  all  the  rest, 
in  all  places  wheresoever  they  dwell,  help  him  every  man 
from  his  place  with  silver  and  gold  and  goods  and  cattle, 
besides  that  which  they  offer  freely  to  the  temple  of  God 
which  is  in  Jerusalem.” 

Then  rose  up  the  chief  of  the  fathers  of  Juda  and 
Benjamin,  and  the  priests  and  levites,  and  every  one 
whose  spirit  God  had  raised  up,  to  go  up  to  build  the 
temple  of  the  Lord,  which  was  in  Jerusalem.  And  all 
they  that  were  round  about  helped  their  hands  with 
vessels  of  silver  and  gold,  and  with  beasts  and  with 
furniture,  besides  what  they  had  offered  on  their  own 
accord.  And  King  Cyrus  brought  forth  the  vessels  of 


THE  NATION'S  REBIRTH 


243 


the  temple  of  the  Lord  which  Nebuchodonosor  had  taken 
from  Jerusalem,  and  had  put  them  in  the  temple  of  his 
god. 

And  the  people  gathered  themselves  together  as  one 
man  to  Jerusalem.  And  when  the  masons  laid  the 
foundations  of  the 
temple  of  the  Lord, 
the  priests  stood  in 
their  ornaments 
with  trumpets,  and 
the  levites  with 
cymbals,  to  praise 
God  by  the  hands 
of  David,  king  of 
Israel.  And  they 
sang  together 
hymns,  and  praise 
to  the  Lord  ;  be¬ 
cause  He  is  good, 
for  His  mercy  en- 
dureth  forever  to¬ 
wards  Israel.  But 
many  of  the  priests 
and  the  levites,  and  The  Return  to  the  Promised  Land, 

the  chief  of  the  fathers  and  the  ancients  that  had 
seen  the  former  temple,  when  they  had  the  founda¬ 
tion  of  this  temple  before  their  eyes,  wept  with  a  loud 
voice.  And  many,  shouting  for  joy,  lifted  up  their  voice, 
so  that  one  could  not  distinguish  the  voice  of  the  shout 
of  joy,  from  the  noise  of  the  weeping  of  the  people;  for 


244 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


one  with  another  the  people  shouted  with  a  loud  shout; 
and  the  voice  was  heard  afar  off. 

So  they  budded  the  temple  and  finished  it,  by  the 
commandment  of  the  God  of  Israel,  and  by  the  command¬ 
ment  of  Cyrus  and  Darius  and  Artaxerxes,  kings  of  the 
Persians.  And  they  were  finishing  this  house  of  God 
until  the  third  day  of  the  month  of  Adar,  which  was  in 
the  sixth  year  of  the  reign  of  Darius. 

. 

Nehemias:  4 4  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  month  of 
Nisan,  in  the  twentieth  year  of  Artaxerxes,  the  king,  that 
wine  was  put  before  him;  and  I,  Nehemias,  took  up  the 
wine  and  gave  it  to  the  king,  for  I  was  the  king’s  cup¬ 
bearer;  and  I  was  as  one  languishing  away  before  his 
face. 

44  And  the  king  said  to  me,  4  Why  is  thy  countenance 
sad,  seeing  thou  dost  not  appear  to  be  sick?  This  is  not 
without  cause;  but  some  evil,  I  know  not  what,  is  in  thy 
heart.  ’ 

44  And  I  was  seized  with  an  exceedingly  great  fear;  and 
I  said,  40  king,  live  forever:  why  should  not  my  counte¬ 
nance  be  sorrowful,  seeing  the  city  of  the  place  of  the 
sepulchres  of  my  fathers  is  desolate,  and  the  gates  thereof 
are  burnt  with  fire.’ 

44  Then  the  king  said  to  me,  4  For  what  dost  thou  make 
request?  ’ 

44  And  I  prayed  to  the  God  of  Heaven;  and  I  said  to  the 
king,  4  If  it  seem  good  to  the  king,  and  if  thy  servant  hath 
found  favor  in  thy  sight,  that  thou  wouldst  send  me  into 
Judea,  to  the  city  of  the  sepulchre  of  my  father,  and  I  will 
build  it.’ 


THE  NATION’S  REBIRTH 


245 


“And  tlie  king  said  to  me,  and  the  queen  that  sat  by 
him,  ‘For  how  long  wilt  thy  journey  be,  and  when  wilt 
thou  return?’ 

“And  it  pleased  the  king  and  he  sent  me;  and  I  fixed 
him  a  time. 

“And  I  came  to  Jerusalem,  and  was  there  three  days. 
And  I  arose  in  the  night,  I  and  some  few  men  with  me; 
and  I  told  not  any  man  what  God  had  put  in  my  heart 
to  do  in  Jerusalem;  and  there  was  no  beast  with  me, 
but  the  beast  that  I  rode  upon.  And  I  went  out  by 
night  by  the  gate  of  the  valley,  and  before  the  dragon 
fountain,  and  to  the  dung  gate;  and  I  viewed  the  wall  of 
Jerusalem  which  was  broken  down,  and  the  gates  thereof 
which  were  consumed  with  fire.  And  I  passed  to  the 
gate  of  the  fountain,  and  to  the  king’s  aqueduct;  and 
there  was  no  place  for  the  beast  on  which  I  rode  to  pass. 
And  I  went  up  in  the  night  by  the  torrent,  and  viewed 
the  wall;  and  going  back  I  came  to  the  gate  of  the 
valley,  and  returned.  But  the  magistrates  knew  not 
whither  I  went,  or  what  I  did;  neither  had  I  as  yet  told 
any  thing  to  the  Jews  or  to  the  priests  or  to  the  nobles  or 
to  the  magistrates  or  to  the  rest  that  did  the  work. 

“  Then  I  said  to  them,  ‘  You  know  the  affliction  wherein 
we  are,  because  Jerusalem  and  the  gates  thereof  are 
consumed  with  fire:  come  and  let  us  build  up  the  walls  of 
Jerusalem,  and  let  us  be  no  longer  a  reproach.’  And 
I  showed  them  how  the  hand  of  God  was  with  me;  and 
the  king’s  word  which  he  had  spoken  to  me;  and  I  said, 
‘Let  us  rise  and  build.’ 


246 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


“So  we  built  the  wall,3  and  joined  it  all  together  unto 
the  half  thereof;  and  the  heart  of  the  people  was  excited 
to  the  work. 

“And  after  the  wall  was  built,  and  I  had  set  up  the 
doors,  and  numbered  the  porters  and  singing  men  and 

levites,  I  com¬ 
manded  my  brother 
and  Hananias,  ruler 
of  the  house  of  Jeru¬ 
salem  (for  he  seemed 
as  a  sincere  man, 
and  one  that  feared 
God  above  the 
rest),  and  I  said  to 
them,  'Let  not  the 
gates  of  Jerusalem 
be  opened  till  the 
sun  be  hot.’  And 
while  they  were  yet 
standing  by,  the 
gates  were  shut  and 
barred;  and  I  set 
Rebuilding  Jerusalem.  watchmen  of  the 

inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  every  one  by  their  courses,  and 
every  man  over  against  his  house. 

“And  the  city  was  very  wide  and  great,  and  the  people 
few  in  the  midst  thereof;  and  the  houses  were  not  built. 
But  God  had  put  in  my  heart,  and  I  assembled  the 
princes  and  magistrates  and  common  people.  And  the 
princes  of  the  people  dwelt  at  Jerusalem;  but  the  rest 


THE  NATION’S  REBIRTH 


247 


of  the  people  cast  lots,  to  take  one  part  in  ten  to  dwell 
in  Jerusalem,  the  holy  city,  and  nine  parts  in  the  other 
cities.  And  the  people  blessed  all  the  men  that  willingly 
offered  themselves  to  dwell  in  Jerusalem.” 

Esdras  :  44  Now  after  these  things  in  the  reign  of  Artax- 
erxes,  king  of  the  Persians,  I  (Esdras)  the  son  of  Saraias, 


The  River  that  Runneth  to  Ahava. 


a  ready  scribe  in  the  law  of  Moses,  went  up  from  Babylon; 
and  I,  being  strengthened  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord  my 
God,  which  was  upon  me,  gathered  together  out  of  Israel 
chief  men  to  go  with  me;  and  I  gathered  them  together 
to  the  river,  which  runneth  down  to  Ahava;  and  we 
stayed  there  three  days.  And  I  sought  among  the  people 
and  among  the  priests  for  the  sons  of  Levi;  and  found 
none  there.  So  I  sent  of  the  wise  men  among  them  to 
Eddo,  who  is  chief  in  the  place  of  Chasphia,  and  I  put 


248 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


in  their  mouth  the  words  they  should  speak  to  Eddo 
and  his  brethren:  that  they  should  bring  us  ministers  of 
the  house  of  God.  And  by  the  good  hand  of  our  God  upon 
us,  they  brought  us  most  learned  men. 

“And  I  proclaimed  there  a  fast  by  the  river  Ahava,  that 
we  might  afflict  ourselves  before  the  Lord  our  God,  and 
might  ask  of  Him  a  right  way  for  us  and  for  our  children 
and  for  all  our  substance;  for  I  was  ashamed  to  ask  the 
king  for  aid  and  for  horsemen  to  defend  us  from  the 
enemy  in  the  way,  because  we  had  said  to  the  king:  ‘The 
hand  of  our  God  is  upon  all  them  that  seek  Him  in  good¬ 
ness,  and  His  power  and  strength  and  wrath  upon  all 
them  that  forsake  Him.’  And  we  fasted  and  besought 
our  God  for  this,  and  it  fell  out  prosperously  unto  us. 

“And  I  separated  twelve  of  the  chief  of  the  priests,  and 
I  weighed  unto  them  the  silver  and  gold,  and  the  vessels 
consecrated  for  the  house  of  God,  which  the  king  and  his 
counselors,  and  his  princes,  and  all  Israel,  that  were 
found,  had  offered.  And  I  said  to  them,  ‘You  are  the 
holy  ones  of  the  Lord,  and  the  vessels  are  holy,  and  the 
silver  and  gold  that  is  freely  offered  to  the  Lord,  the  God 
of  our  fathers.  Watch  ye  and  keep  them,  till  you  deliver 
them  by  weight  before  the  chief  of  the  priests,  and  of  the 
levites,  and  the  heads  of  the’  families  in  Jerusalem,  into 
the  treasure  of  the  house  of  the  Lord.’  And  the  priests 
and  the  levites  received  the  weight  of  the  silver  and 
gold  and  the  vessels,  to  carry  them  to  Jerusalem  to  the 
house  of  their  God. 

“  Then  we  set  forward  from  the  river  Ahava  on  the 
twelfth  day  of  the  first  month  to  go  to  Jerusalem;  and 


249 


THE  NATION’S  REBIRTH 

the  hand  of  our  God  was  upon  us,  and  delivered  us  from 
the  hand  of  the  enemy,  and  of  such  as  lay  in  wait  by  the 
way.  And  we  came  to  Jerusalem;  and  the  silver  and  the 
gold  and  the  vessels  were  weighed  in  the  house  of  our 
God  by  the  hand  of  Meremoth,  the  son  of  Urias  the 
priest,  according  to 
the  number  and 
weight  of  every¬ 
thing;  and  all  the 
weight  was  written 
at  that  time.” 

The  Re-estab¬ 
lishment  of  THE 
Law:  And  all  the 
people  were  gath¬ 
ered  as  one  man  to 
the  street  which  is 
before  the  water- 
gate;  and  they 
spoke  to  Esdras, 
the  scribe,  to  bring 
the  book  of  the  law 
of  Moses,  which  the  Lord  had  commanded  to  Israel. 

Then  Esdras,  the  priest,  brought  the  law  before  the 
multitude  of  men  and  women,  and  all  those  that  could 
understand;  and  he  read  it  plainly  in  the  street  that  was 
before  the  water-gate,  from  the  morning  until  midday, 
before  the  men  and  women  and  all  those  that  could 
understand;  and  the  ears  of  all  the  people  were  attentive 


Ezra  Reading  the  Law. 


250 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


to  the  book.  And  Esdras,  the  scribe,  stood  upon  a  step 
of  wood  which  he  had  made  to  speak  upon.  And  Esdras 
opened  the  book  before  all  the  people;  for  he  was  above 
all  the  people;  and  when  he  had  opened  it  all  the  people 
stood.  And  Esdras  blessed  the  Lord,  the  great  God;  and 
all  the  people  answered,  “Amen,  amen;”  lifting  up  their 
hands:  and  they  bowed  down,  and  adored  God  with 
their  faces  to  the  ground. 

And  the  seed  of  the  children  of  Israel  separated  them¬ 
selves  from  every  stranger.  And  all  that  had  separated 
themselves  from  the  people  of  the  lands,  to  the  law  of 
God,  came  to  promise  and  to  swear  that  they  would 
walk  in  the  law  of  God,  which  He  gave  in  the  hand  of 
Moses,  the  servant  of  God,  that  they  would  do  and  keep 
all  the  commandments  of  the  Lord  our  God,  and  His 
judgments  and  His  ceremonies. 


XVI. 


The  Machabees. 

King  Antiochus:  Now  it  came  to  pass,  after  that 
Alexander,  the  son  of  Philip,  the  Macedonian,  had  over¬ 
thrown  Darias,  king  of  the  Persians  and  Medes,  he  fought 
many  battles  and  took  the  strong  holds  of  all,  and  slew  the 
kings  of  the  earth:  and  he  went  through  even  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  and  took  the  spoils  of  many  nations; 
and  the  earth  was  quiet  before  him.  And  he  gathered  a 
power  and  a  very  strong  army;  and  his  heart  was  exalted 
and  lifted  up.  And  he  subdued  countries  of  nations,  and 
they  became  tributaries  to  him. 

And  after  these  things  he  fell  down  upon  his  bed  and 
knew  that  he  should  die.  And  he  called  his  servants,  the 
nobles  that  were  brought  up  with  him  from  his  youth, 
and  he  divided  his  kingdom  among  them  while  he  was 
yet  alive.  And  he  reigned  twelve  years,  and  he  died. 
And  his  servants  made  themselves  kings,  every  one  in 
his  place;  and  they  all  put  crowns  upon  themselves  after 
his  death,  and  their  sons  after  them  many  years;  and 
evils  were  multiplied  upon  the  earth. 

And  there  came  out  of  them  a  wicked  root,  Antiochus 
the  Illustrious;  and  he  reigned.  And  he  went  up  to 
Jerusalem  with  a  great  multitude.  And  he  proudly 
entered  into  the  sanctuary  and  took  away  the  golden 
altar  and  the  candlestick  of  light  and  all  the  vessels 
thereof  and  the  table  of  proposition  and  the  pouring 


252 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


vessels  and  the  vials  and  the  little  mortars  of  gold  and 
the  veil  and  the  crowns  and  the  golden  ornaments  that 
were  before  the  temple,  and  he  broke  them  to  pieces.  And 
he  took  the  silver  and  gold  and  the  precious  vessels;  and 
he  took  the  hidden  treasures  which  he  found;  and  when 
he  had  taken  all  away  he  departed  into  his  own  country. 

And  after  two  full  years  the  king  sent  the  chief  collector 
of  his  tributes  to  the  cities  of  Juda;  and  he  came  to 
Jerusalem  with  a  multitude.  And  he  spoke  to  them 
peaceable  words  in  deceit;  and  they  believed  him.  And 
he  fell  upon  the  city  suddenly,  and  struck  it  with  a  great 
slaughter,  and  destroyed  much  people  in  Israel.  And 
he  took  spoils  of  the  city,  and  burnt  it  with  fire,  and  threw 
down  the  houses  thereof  and  the  walls  thereof  round 
about.  And  they  took  women  captive,  and  the  cattle 
they  possessed. 

And  they  built  the  city  of  David1  with  a  great  and 
strong  wall  and  with  strong  towers,  and  made  it  a  fortress 
for  them.  And  they  placed  there  a  sinful  nation,  wicked 
men,  and  they  fortified  themselves  therein;  and  they 
stored  up  armour  and  victuals,  and  gathered  together 
the  spoils  of  Jerusalem  and  laid  them  up  there;  and  they 
became  a  great  snare.  And  this  was  a  place  to  lie  in  wait 
against  the  sanctuary  and  an  evil  in  Israel.  And  they 
shed  innocent  blood  around  about  the  sanctuary,  and 
defiled  the  holy  place.  And  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem 
flew  away  by  reason  of  them;  and  the  city  was  made 
the  habitation  of  strangers,  and  she  became  a  stranger 
to  her  own  seed,  and  her  children  forsook  her.  Her 
sanctuary  was  desolate  like  a  wilderness,  her  festival 


THE  MACHABEES 


253 


days  were  turned  into  mourning,  her  Sabbaths  into 
reproach,  her  honors  were  brought  to  nothing.  Her 
dishonor  was  increased  according  to  her  glory,  and  her 
excellency  was  turned  into  mourning. 

And  King  Antiochus  wrote  to  all  his  kingdom  that  all 
the  people  should  be  one,  and  every  one  should  leave 
his  own  law.  And  all  nations  consented  according  to 
the  word  of  Antiochus.  And  many  of  Israel  consented 
to  his  service;  and  they  sacrificed  to  idols  and  profaned 
the  Sabbath.  And  the  king  sent  letters  by  the  hands  of 
messengers  to  Jerusalem  and  to  all  the  cities  of  Juda  that 
they  should  follow  the  law  of  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and 
should  forbid  holocausts  and  sacrifices  and  atonements 
to  be  made  in  the  temple  of  God;  and  should  prohibit 
the  Sabbath  and  the  festival  days  to  be  celebrated.  And 
he  commanded  the  holy  places  to  be  profaned,  and  the  holy 
people  of  Israel.  And  he  commanded  altars  to  be  built 
and  temples  and  idols,  and  swine’s  flesh  to  be  immolated 
and  unclean  beasts;  and  that  they  should  leave  their 
children  uncircumcised,  and  let  their  souls  be  defiled 
with  all  uncleanness  and  abominations  to  the  end  that 
they  shoud  forget  the  law  and  should  change  all  the 
justifications  of  God:  and  that  whosoever  would  not  do 
according  to  the  word  of  King  Antiochus  should  be  put 
to  death. 

And  King  Antiochus  set  up  the  abominable  idol  of 
desolation2  upon  the  altar  of  God;  and  they  built  altars 
throughout  all  the  cites  of  Juda  round  about;  and  they 
burnt  incense,  and  sacrificed  at  the  doors  of  the  houses 
and  in  the  streets.  And  they  cut  in  pieces  and  burnt 


254 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


with  fire  the  books  of  the  law  of  God.  And  every  one 
with  whom  the  books  of  the  testament  of  the  Lord  were 
found,  and  whosoever  observed  the  law  of  the  Lord,  they 
put  to  death,  according  to  the  edict  of  the  king. 

Thus  by  their  power  did  they  deal  with  the  people 
of  Israel  that  were  found  in  the  cities  month  after  month. 
And  on  the  eve  of  the  twentieth  day  of  the  month  they 
sacrificed  upon  the  altar  of  the  idol  that  was  over  against 
the  altar  of  God. 

And  the  women  that  circumcised  their  children  were 
slain  according  to  the  commandment  of  King  Antiochus; 
and  they  hanged  the  children  about  their  necks  in  all  their 
houses;  and  those  that  had  circumcised  them,  they  put 
to  death. 

And  many  of  the  people  of  Israel  determined  with 
themselves  that  they  would  not  eat  unclean  things;  and 
they  chose  rather  to  die  than  to  be  defiled  with  unclean 
meats.  And  they  would  not  break  the  holy  law  of  God; 
and  they  were  put  to  death;  and  there  was  very  great 
wrath  upon  the  people. 

The  Martyrdom  of  Eleazar:  And  it  came  to  pass 
that  Eleazar,  one  of  the  chief  of  the  scribes,  a  man 
advanced  in  years  and  of  a  comely  countenance,  was 
pressed  to  open  his  mouth  to  eat  swine’s  flesh.3  But  he, 
choosing  rather  a  most  glorious  death  than  a  hateful 
life,  went  forward  voluntarily  to  the  torment.  And 
considering  in  what  manner  he  was  come  to  it,  patiently 
bearing,  he  determined  not  to  do  any  unlawful  things 
for  the  love  of  life. 


THE  MACHABEES 


255 


But  they  that  stood  by,  being  moved  with  wicked 
pity  for  the  old  friendship  they  had  with  the  man,  taking 
him  aside  desired  that  flesh  might  be  brought  which  it 
was  lawful  for  him  to  eat  that  he  might  make  as  if  he 
had  eaten  as  the  king  had  commanded  of  the  flesh  of 
sacrifice,  that  by  so  doing  he  might  be  delivered  from 
death:  and  for  the  sake  of  their  old  friendship  with  the 
man  they  did  him  this  courtesy. 

But  he  began  to  consider  the  dignity  of  his  age  and 
his  ancient  years  and  the  inbred  honor  of  his  gray  head 
and  his  good  life  and  conversation  from  a  child;  and  he 
answered  without  delay,  according  to  the  ordinances  of 
the  holy  law  made  by  God  saying  that  he  would  rather 
be  sent  into  the  other  world.  “For  it  doth  not  become 
our  age'’  said  he,  “to  dissemble,  whereby  many  young 
persons  might  think  that  EleazarB  at  the  age  of  four 
score  and  ten  years,  was  gone  over  to  the  life  of  the 
heathens,  and  so  they,  through  my  dissimulation,  and 
for  a  little  time  of  a  corruptible  life,  should  be  deceived; 
and  thereby  I  should  bring  a  stain  and  a  curse  upon  my 
old  age.  For  though  for  the  present  time  I  should  be 
delivered  from  the  punishments  of  men,  yet  should  not 
I  escape  the  hand  of  the  Almighty,  neither  alive  nor 
dead.  Wherefore,  by  departing  manfully  out  of  this 
life  I  shall  show  myself  worthy  of  my  old  age;  and  I  shall 
leave  an  example  of  fortitude  to  young  men  if,  with  a 
ready  mind  and  constancy,  I  suffer  an  honorable  death 
for  the  most  venerable  and  holy  laws.” 

And  having  spoken  thus  he  was  forthwith  carried  to 
execution.  And  they  that  led  him  and  had  been  a  little 


256 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


before  more  mild  were  changed  to  wrath  for  the  words  he 
had  spoken,  which  they  thought  were  uttered  out  of 
arrogancy. 

But  when  he  was  now  ready  to  die  with  the  stripes 
he  groaned  and  said, 44  0  Lord  who  hast  the  holy  knowledge, 

Thou  knowest 
manifestly  that 
whereas  I  might  be 
delivered  from 
death  I  suffer  griev¬ 
ous  pains  in  body, 
but  in  soul  am  well 
content  to  suffer 
these  things  because 
I  fear  Thee.” 

Thus  did  this 
man  die,  leaving  not 
only  to  young  men 
but  also  to  the 
whole  nation  the 
memory  of  his 
death  for  an  ex¬ 
ample. 

The  Martyrdom  of  a  Mother  and  Her  Seven 
Sons:  And  it  came  to  pass  also  that  seven  brethren, 
together  with  their  mother,  were  apprehended  and  com¬ 
pelled  by  the  king  to  eat  swine’s  flesh  against  the  law; 
for  which  end  they  were  tormented  with  whips  and 
scourges. 

But  one  of  them  who  was  the  eldest  said  thus, 44  What 
would  thou  ask  or  learn  of  us?  We  are  ready  to  die 


The  Martyrdom  of  Eleazar. 


THE  MACHABEES 


257 


rather  than  to  transgress  the  laws  of  God  received  from 
our  fathers." 

Then  the  king  being  angry  commanded  frying-pans 
and  brazen  cauldrons  to  be  made  hot;  which  forthwith 
being  heated,  he  commanded  to  cut  out  the  tongue  of 
him  that  had  spoken  first;  and  the  skin  of  his  head  being 
drawn  off,  to  chop  off  also  the  extremities  of  his  hands 
and  feet;  the  rest  of  his  brethren  and  his  mother  looking 
on.  And  when  he  was  now  maimed  in  all  his  parts  he 
commanded  him,  being  yet  alive,  to  be  brought  to  the 
fire  and  to  be  fried  in  the  frying-pan.  And  while  he  was 
suffering  there  in  long  torments,  the  rest,  together  with 
the  mother,  exhorted  one  another  to  die  manfully, 
saying,  “The  Lord  will  look  upon  the  truth  and  will 
take  pleasure  in  us  as  Moses  declared  in  the  profession 
of  the  canticle:  And  in  His  servants  He  will  take  pleasure.” 

So  when  the  first  was  dead  after  this  manner,  they 
brought  the  next  to  make  him  a  mocking  stock.  And 
when  they  had  pulled  off  the  skin  of  his  head  with  the 
hair,  they  asked  him  if  he  would  eat  before  he  were 
punished  throughout  the  whole  body  in  every  limb. 

But  he  answered  in  his  own  language  and  said,  “I  will 
not  do  it.” 

AYherefore  he  also  in  the  next  place  received  the  tor¬ 
ments  of  the  first.  And  when  he  was  at  the  last  gasp 
he  said  thus:  “Thou  indeed  O  most  wicked  man  destroy  - 
est  us  out  of  this  present  life,  but  the  King  of  the  world 
will  raise  us  up  who  die  for  His  laws  in  the  resurrection 
of  eternal  life.” 

After  him,  the  third  was  made  a  mocking  stock;  and 
when  he  was  required,  he  quickly  put  forth  his  tongue 


25  8 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


and  courageously  stretched  out  his  hands,  and  said  with 
confidence,  “  These  I  have  from  Heaven,  but,  for  the  laws 
of  God,  I  now  despise  them,  because  I  hope  to  receive 
them  again  from  Him.”  So  that  the  king  and  they  that 
were  with  him  wondered  at  the  young  man’s  courage 
because  he  esteemed  the  torments  as  nothing. 

And  after  he  was  thus  dead,  they  tormented  the 
fourth  in  like  manner.  And  when  he  was  now  ready  to 
die,  he  spoke  thus,  ‘‘It  is  better,  being  put  to  death  by 
men  to  look  for  hope  from  God  to  be  raised  up  again  by 
Him,  for,  as  to  thee,  thou  shalt  have  no  resurrection 
unto  life.” 

And  when  they  had  brought  the  fifth,  they  tor¬ 
mented  him.  But  he  looking  upon  the  king  said, 
“Whereas  thou  hast  power  among  man,  though  thou  art 
corruptible,  thou  dost  what  thou  wilt;  but  think  not 
that  our  nation  is  forsaken  by  God,  but  stay  patiently 
awhile  and  thou  shalt  see  His  great  power,  in  what  manner 
He  wilt  torment  thee  and  thy  seed.” 

After  him  they  brought  the  sixth  and  he  being  ready 
to  die,  spoke  thus,  “Be  not  deceived  without  cause; 
for  we  suffer  these  things  for  ourselves,  having  sinned 
against  our  God,  and  things  worthy  of  admiration  are 
done  to  us.  But  do  not  think  that  thou  shalt  escape 
unpunished  for  that  thou  hast  attempted  to  fight  against 
God.” 

Now  the  mother  was  to  be  admired  above  measure, 
and  worthy  to  be  remembered  by  good  men,  who  beheld 
her  seven  sons  slain  in  the  space  of  one  day  and  bore  it 
with  good  courage  for  the  hope  that  she  had  in  God. 


THE  MACHABEES 


259 


And  she  bravely  exhorted  every  one  of  them  in  her  own 
language,  being  filled  with  wisdom.  And  joining  a  man’s 
heart  to  a  woman’s  thought,  she  said  to  them,  “I  know 
not  how  you  were  formed  in  my  womb,  for  I  neither  gave 
you  breath,  nor  soul,  nor  life,  neither  did  I  frame  the  limbs 
of  every  one  of  you.  But  the  Creator  of  the  world,  that 
formed  the  nativity  of  man  and  that  found  out  the  origin 
of  all,  He  will  restore  to  you  again  in  His  mercy  both  breath 
and  life,  as  now  you  despise  yourselves  for  the  sake  of 
His  laws.” 

Now  Antiochus,  thinking  himself  despised  and  withal 
despising  the  voice  of  the  upbraider,  when  the  youngest 
was  yet  alive,  did  not  only  exhort  him  by  words  but  also 
assured  him  with  an  oath  that  he  would  make  him  a 
rich  and  a  happy  man,  and,  if  he  would  turn  from  the 
laws  of  his  fathers,  would  take  him  for  a  friend  and 
furnish  him  with  things  necessary.  But  when  the  young 
man  was  not  moved  with  these  things,  the  king  called 
the  mother  and  counseled  her  to  deal  with  the  young 
man  to  save  his  life. 

And  when  he  had  exhorted  her  with  many  words  she 
promised  that  she  would  counsel  her  son.  So  bending 
herself  towards  him,  mocking  the  cruel  tyrant,  she  said 
in  her  own  language,  “My  son,  have  pity  upon  me  that 
bore  thee,  and  gave  thee  suck,  and  nourished  thee,  and 
brought  thee  up  unto  this  age.  I  beseech  thee,  my  son, 
look  upon  Heaven  and  earth  and  all  that  is  in  them,  and 
consider  that  God  made  them  out  of  nothing  and  man¬ 
kind  also.  So  thou  slialt  not  fear  this  tormentor,  but 
being  made  a  worthy  partner  with  thy  brethren,  receive 


260 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


death  that  in  that  mercy  I  may  receive  thee  again  with 
thy  brethren.” 

While  she  was  yet  speaking  these  words,  the  young 
man  said,  “For  whom  do  you  stay?  I  will  not  obey  the 
commandment  of  the  king,  but  the  commandment  of 

the  law  which  was 
given  us  by  Moses. 
But  thou  that  hast 
been  the  author  of 
all  this  mischief 
against  the  He¬ 
brews  shalt  not 
escape  the  hand  of 
God;  for  we  suffer 
for  our  sins.  And 
though  the  Lord  is 
angry  with  us  a 
little  while  for  our 
chastisement  and 
correction,  yet  He 
will  be  reconciled 
again  to  His  ser¬ 
vants.” 

Then  the  king,  being  incensed  with  anger,  raged 
against  him  more  cruelly  than  all  the  rest,  taking  it 
grievously  that  he  was  mocked.  So  this  man  also  died 
undefiled,  wholly  trusting  in  the  Lord. 

And  last  of  all,  after  the  sons,  the  mother  also  was 
consumed. 


The  Mother  of  the  Machabees. 


THE  MACHABEES 


mi 


The  Uprising  of  Mathathias:  In  those  days  arose 
Mathathias  the  son  of  John,  the  son  of  Simeon,  a  priest 
of  the  sons  of  Joarib,  from  Jerusalem;  and  he  abode 
in  the  mountain  of  Modin.  And  he  had  five  sons:  John, 
who  was  surnamed  Gaddis;  and  Simeon  who  was  sur- 
named  Thasi;  and  Judas,  who  was  called  Machabeus;4 
and  Eleazar,  who  was  surnamed  Abaron;  and  Jonathan, 
who  was  surnamed  Apphus. 

These  saw  the  evils  that  were  done  in  the  people  of 
Juda,  and  in  Jerusalem.  And  Mathathias  said,  “Woe 
is  me;  wherefore  was  I  born  to  see  the  ruin  of  my  people, 
and  the  ruin  of  the  holy  city,  and  to  dwell  there  when 
it  is  given  into  the  hands  of  the  enemies.”  And  Matha¬ 
thias  and  his  sons  rent  their  garments  and  they  covered 
themselves  with  hair  cloth  and  made  great  lamentation. 

And  they  that  were  sent  from  King  Antiochus  came 
thither  to  compel  them  that  were  fled  into  the  city  of 
Modin,  to  sacrifice  and  to  burn  incense  and  to  depart  from 
the  law  of  God.  And  many  of  the  people  of  Israel  con¬ 
sented;  but  Mathathias  and  his  sons  stood  firm. 

And  they  that  were  sent  from  Antiochus  answering 
said  to  Mathathias,  “Thou  art  a  ruler  and  an  honorable 
and  great  man  in  this  city  and  adorned  with  sons  and 
brethren.  Therefore  come  thou  first  and  obey  the  king’s 
commandment  as  all  nations  have  done  and  the  men 
of  Juda  and  they  that  remain  in  Jerusalem.  And  thou 
and  thy  sons  shall  be  in  the  number  of  the  king’s  friends 
and  enriched  with  gold  and  silver  and  many  presents.” 

Then  Mathathias  answered  and  said  with  a  loud  voice, 
“Although  all  nations  obey  King  Antiochus  so  as  to 


262 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


depart  every  man  from  the  service  of  his  fathers  and 
consent  to  his  commandments,  I  and  my  sons  and  my 
brethren  will  obey  the  law  of  our  fathers.  God  be  merciful 
unto  us;  it  is  not  profitable  for  us  to  forsake  the  law  and 
the  justices  of  God.  We  will  not  hearken  to  the  words  of 

King  A  n  t  i  o  c  li  u  s  ; 
neither  will  we  sacri¬ 
fice  and  transgress 
the  commandments 
of  our  law  to  go 
another  way.” 

Now  as  he  left 
off  speaking  these 
words  there  came  a 
certain  Jew  in  the 
sight  of  all  to  sacri¬ 
fice  to  the  idols 
upon  the  altar  in 
the  city  of  Modin, 
according  to  the 
king's  command¬ 
ment.  And  Matlia- 

Mathathias  Slaying  the  Profaner.  , .  .  . 

tlnas  saw  and  was 
grieved,  and  his  reins  trembled,  and  his  wrath  was  kindled 
according  to  the  judgment  of  the  law;  and  running  upon 
him  he  slew  him  upon  the  altar.  Moreover,  the  men  whom 
King  Antiochus  had  sent,  who  compelled  them  to  sacrifice, 
he  slew  at  the  same  time,  and  pulled  down  the  altar,  and 
showed  zeal  for  the  law  as  Phinees  did  by  Zamri  the  son 
of  Salomi.  And  Mathathias  cried  out  in  the  city  with 


THE  MACHABEES 


263 


a  loud  voice  saying,  “Every  one  that  hath  zeal  for  the  law 
and  maintaineth  the  testament,  let  him  follow  me.” 

So  he  and  his  sons  fled  into  the  mountains,  and  left 
all  that  they  had  in  the  city. 

Then  was  assembled  to  them  the  congregation  of  the 
A  s  s  i  d  e  a  n  s,5  the 
stoughtest  of  Israel, 
every  one  that  had 
a  good  will  for  the 
law.  And  all  they 
that  fled  from  the 
evils  joined  them¬ 
selves  to  them,  and 
were  a  support  to 
them.  And  Matha- 
thias  and  his  friends 
went  about  and 
they  threw  down 
the  altars,  and  they 
circumcised  all  the 
children  they  found 
in  the  confines  of 

T  ,  .  Mathathias  Inciting  His  Countrymen  to  Revolt. 

Israel  that  were 

uncircumcised,  and  they  did  valiantly.  And  they  pur¬ 
sued  after  the  children  of  pride,  and  the  work  prospered 
in  their  hands.  And  they  recovered  the  law  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  nations,  and  out  of  the  hands  of  the  kings; 
and  they  yielded  not  the  horn  to  the  sinner. 

And  so  strove  Mathathias  until  the  hundred  and 
forty-sixth  year  and  he  died  and  was  buried  by  his  sons 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


264 

in  the  sepulchre  of  his  fathers  in  Modin;  and  all  Israel 
mourned  for  him  with  great  mourning. 

Judas  Machabeus:  Then  rose  up  Judas,  called 
Machabeus,  the  son  of  Mathathias;  and  all  his  brethren 
helped  him,  and  all  they  that  had  joined  themselves  to 
his  father  while  he  was  yet  alive;  and  they  fought  with 
cheerfulness  the  battle  of  Israel.  And  the  fear  of  Judas 
and  of  his  brethren  and  the  dread  of  them  fell  upon  all 
the  nations  round  about  them.  And  his  fame  came  to  the 
king;  and  all  nations  told  of  the  battles  of  Judas. 

Now  when  King  Antiochus  heard  these  words  he  was 
angry  in  his  mind;  and  he  sent  and  gathered  the  forces 
of  all  his  kingdom,  an  exceeding  strong  army.  And 
he  opened  his  treasury  and  gave  out  pay  to  the  army  for 
a  year;  and  he  commanded  them  that  they  should  be 
ready  for  all  things.  And  he  perceived  that  the  money 
of  his  treasures  failed;  and  he  feared  that  he  should  not 
have  as  formerly  enough  for  charges  and  gifts  which  he 
had  given  before  with  a  liberal  hand;  for  he  had  abounded 
more  than  the  kings  that  had  been  before  him.  And  he 
was  perplexed  greatly  in  mind  and  purposed  to  go  into 
Persia  and  to  take  tributes  of  the  countries  and  to  gather 
much  money.  And  he  left  Lysias,  a  nobleman  of  the 
royal  blood,  to  oversee  the  affairs  of  the  kingdom,  from 
the  river  Euphrates  even  to  the  river  of  Egypt.  And  he 
delivered  to  him  half  the  army  and  the  elephants;  and 
he  gave  him  charge  concerning  all  that  he  would  have 
done,  and  concerning  the  inhabitants  of  Judea  and 
Jerusalem;  and  that  he  should  send  an  army  against 


THE  MACHABEES 


265 


them  to  destroy  and  root  out  the  strength  of  Israel,  and 
the  remnant  of  Jerusalem  and  to  take  away  the  memory 
of  them  from  that  place;  and  that  he  should  settle 
strangers  to  dwell  in  all  their  coasts  and  divide  their  land 
by  lot.  So  the  king  took  half  the  army  that  remained 
and  went  forth  from  Antioch,  the  chief  city  of  his  kingdom; 
and  he  passed  over  the  river  Euphrates  and  went  through 
the  higher  countries. 

Then  Lysias  chose  Ptolemee,  the  son  of  Dorymenus, 
and  Nicanor  and  Gorgias,  mighty  men  of  the  king’s 
friends,  and  he  sent  with  them  forty  thousand  men  and 
seven  thousand  horsemen,  to  go  into  the  land  of  Juda 
and  destroy  it  according  to  the  king’s  orders.  So  they 
went  forth  with  all  their  power  and  came  and  pitched 
near  Emmaus  in  the  plain  country.  And  the  merchants 
of  the  countries  heard  the  fame  of  them,  and  they  took 
silver  and  gold  in  abundance  and  servants  and  they  came 
into  the  camp  to  buy  the  children  of  Israel  for  slaves; 
and  there  were  joined  to  them  the  forces  of  Syria  and  of 
the  land  of  the  strangers. 

And  Judas  and  his  brethren  saw  that  evils  were 
multiplied  and  that  the  armies  approached  to  their 
borders,  and  they  knew  the  orders  the  king  had  given 
to  destroy  the  people  and  utterly  abolish  them.  And 
they  said  every  man  to  his  neighbor,  “Let  us  raise  up 
the  low  condition  of  our  people  and  let  us  fight  for  our 
people  and  our  sanctuary.”  And  the  assembly  was 
gathered  that  they  might  be  ready  for  battle,  and  that 
they  might  pray  and  ask  mercy  and  compassion. 

And  after  this  Judas  appointed  captains  over  the 
people,  over  thousands,  and  over  hundreds  and  over 


266 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


fifties  and  over  tens.  And  he  said  to  them  that  were 
building  houses  or  had  betrothed  wives  or  were  planting 
vineyards,  or  were  fearful,  that  they  should  return  every 
man  to  his  house  according  to  the  law.  So  they  removed 
the  camp  and  pitched  on  the  south  side  of  Emmaus. 

And  Judas  said,  “  Gird  yourselves  and  be  valiant  men, 
and  be  ready  against  the  morning,  that  you  may  fight 
with  these  nations  that  are  assembled  against  us  to  destroy 
us  and  our  sanctuary:  for  it  is  better  for  us  to  die  in 
battle  than  to  see  the  evils  of  our  nation  and  of  the 
holies.  Nevertheless  as  it  shall  be  the  will  of  God  in 
Heaven,  so  be  it  done.” 

Then  Gorgias  took  five  thousand  men  and  a  thousand 
of  the  best  horsemen  and  they  removed  out  of  the  camp 
by  night  that  they  might  come  upon  the  camp  of  the 
Jews  and  strike  them  suddenly;  and  the  men  that  were 
of  the  castle  were  their  guides.  And  Judas  heard  of  it 
and  rose  up,  he  and  the  valiant  men,  to  attack  the  king’s 
forces  that  were  in  Emmaus.  For  as  yet  the  army  was 
dispersed  from  the  camp. 

And  Gorgias  came  by  night  into  the  camp  of  Judas, 
and  found  no  man  and  he  sought  them  in  the  mountains; 
for  he  said,  “These  men  flee  from  us.” 

And  when  it  was  day  Judas  showed  himself  in  the 
plain  with  three  thousand  men  only  who  neither  had 
armour  nor  swords.  And  they  saw  the  camp  of  the 
Gentiles  that  it  was  strong  and  the  men  in  breast  plates 
and  the  horsemen  round  about  them;  and  these  were 
trained  up  to  war. 

And  Judas  said  to  the  men  that  were  with  him,  “Fear 
ye  not  their  multitude,  neither  be  ye  afraid  of  their 


THE  MACHABEES 


267 


assault.  Remember  in  what  manner  our  fathers  were  saved 
in  the  Red  Sea  when  Pharao  pursued  them  with  a  great 
army.  And  now  let  us  cry  to  Heaven,  and  the  Lord  will 
have  mercy  on  us  and  will  remember  the  covenant  of  our 
fathers  and  will  destroy  this  army  before  our  face  this  day. 
And  all  the  nations  shall  know  that  there  is  One  that 
redeemetli  and  delivereth  Israel.” 


Judas  Machabeus  Pursuing  the  Enemy. 


And  the  strangers  lifted  up  their  eyes  and  saw  them 
coming  against  them.  And  they  went  out  of  the  camp 
to  battle:  and  thev  that  were  with  Judas  sounded  the 
trumpet.  And  they  joined  battle;  and  the  Gentiles  were 
routed  and  fled  into  the  plain.  But  all  the  hindmost  of 
them  fell  by  the  sword. 

And  Judas  returned  again  with  his  army  that  fol¬ 
lowed  him;  and  he  said  to  the  people,  “Be  not  greedy 


268 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


of  the  spoils,  for  there  is  war  before  us.  Gorgias  and 
his  army  are  near  us  in  the  mountain;  but  stand  ye  now 
against  our  enemies  and  overthrow  them,  and  you  shall 
take  the  spoils  afterwards  with  safety.” 

And  as  Judas  was  speaking  these  words,  behold  part 
of  them  approached,  looking  forth  from  the  mountain. 
And  Gorgias  saw  that  his  men  were  put  to  flight  and  that 
they  had  set  fire  to  the  camp;  for  the  smoke  that  was 
seen  declared  what  was  done.  And  when  they  had  seen 
this  they  were  seized  with  great  fear,  seeing  at  the  same 
time  Judas  and  his  army  in  the  plain  ready  to  fight. 
So  they  all  fled  away  into  the  land  of  the  strangers. 

And  Judas  returned  to  take  the  spoils  of  the  camp; 
and  they  got  much  gold  and  silver  and  blue  silk  and 
purple  of  the  sea,  and  great  riches.  And  returning  home 
they  sang  a  hymn  and  blessed  God  in  Heaven  “Because 
He  is  good;  because  His  mercy  endureth  forever.” 

So  Israel  had  a  great  deliverance  that  day. 

The  Dedication  of  the  Temple:  Then  Judas  and 
his  brethren  said,  “Behold  our  enemies  are  discomfited, 
let  us  go  up  now  to  cleanse  the  holy  places  and  to  repair 
them.” 

And  all  the  army  assembled  together  and  they  went  up 
into  Mount  Sion.  And  they  saw  the  sanctuary  desolate 
and  the  altar  profaned  and  the  gates  burned,  and  shrubs 
growing  up  in  the  courts  as  in  a  forest  or  on  a  mountain, 
and  the  chambers  joining  to  the  temple  thrown  down. 
And  they  rent  their  garments,  and  made  great  lamenta¬ 
tion,  and  put  ashes  on  their  heads;  and  they  fell  down 


THE  MACHABEES 


269 


to  the  ground  on  their  faces,  and  they  sounded  with 
trumpets  of  alarm,  and  they  cried  towards  Heaven. 

Then  Judas  chose  priests  without  blemish  whose 
will  was  set  upon  the  law  of  God.  And  they  cleansed  the 
holy  places  and  took  away  the  stones  that  had  been 
defiled  into  an  unclean  place.  And  they  built  up  the 
things  that  were  within  the  temple;  and  they  sanctified 
the  temple  and  the  courts.  And  they  made  new  holy 
vessels,  and  brought  in  the  candlestick,  and  the  altar 
of  incense  and  the  table  into  the  temple.  And  they  put 
incense  upon  the  altar  and  lighted  up  the  lamps  that 
were  upon  the  candlestick,  and  they  gave  light  in  the 
temple.  And  they  set  the  loaves  upon  the  table,  and 
hung  up  the  veils,  and  finished  all  the  works  that  they 
had  begun  to  make.  And  they  kept  the  dedication  of  the 
altar  eight  days,  and  they  offered  holocausts  with  joy, 
and  sacrifices  of  salvation  and  of  praise.  And  there  was 
exceeding  great  joy  among  the  people,  and  the  reproach 
of  the  Gentiles  was  turned  away. 

Rejoice  and  give  praise  together,  O  ye  deserts  of 
Jerusalem; 

For  the  Lord  hath  comforted  His  people:  He  hath 
redeemed  Jerusalem. 

The  Lord  hath  prepared  His  Holy  Arm  in  the  sight 
of  all  the  Gentiles; 

And  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the  Salvation 
of  our  God. 


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Longitude  East  35°  from  Greenwich 


30' 


NOTES. 


I. 

The  Dawn  of  the  World,  (B.  C.  4004-2348)  Summary.  In  the 
Bible  there  are  seventy-three  books.  Of  these  the  first  forty -six  have  for 
their  chief  purpose  to  tell  the  story  of  Israel  as  a  covenant  people.  By 
covenant  people  is  meant  a  people  between  whom  and  God  there  exists 
a  special  agreement.  The  agreement  which  existed  of  old  between  God 
and  Israel  was  to  the  effect  that  He  should  be ,  in  a  most  intimate  way , 
their  God ,  and  they  should  be ,  in  a  very  peculiar  sense ,  His  represen¬ 
tatives  to  the  other  nations  of  the  world.  Another  and  a  more  familiar 
word  for  covenant  is  testament.  That  is  why  the  books  of  the  Bible  in 
which  the  covenant  is  recorded  are  called  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament , 
or  just  simply ,  The  Old  Testament. 

Now  although  the  Old  Testament  has  for  its  chief  purpose  to  tell  the 
story  of  Israel  as  a  covenant  people ,  it  does  not  wait  for  that  nation  to  be 
formed  before  starting  its  narrative ,  but  it  goes  back  to  the  very  beginning 
of  things  and  tells ,  as  it  were  by  way  of  introduction ,  all  the  events  that 
happened  at  the  dawn  of  the  world.  Of  these  events,  the  three  most 
important  are  known  as  the  Creation,  the  Fall ,  and  the  Flood;  and  these 
only  are  told  in  this  chapter.  From  the  story  of  Creation  we  shall  learn, 
step  by  step,  how  all  things  were  made  by  God,  in  the  beginning,  out  of 
nothing.  In  the  account  of  the  Fall  we  shall  see  how  our  first  parents, 
having  disobeyed  their  Creator ,  were  driven  out  of  Paradise,  but  not 
before  they  had  received  from  Him  the  promise  that  one  day  there  should 
come  One,  born  of  woman,  who  would  repair  the  evil  of  their  sin.  Finally, 
from  the  record  of  the  Flood  we  shall  learn  how  mankind  having  become 
utterly  sinful,  was  all  destroyed,  save  Noe  and  his  family. 

1.  Firmament:  The  atmosphere  which  2.  By  waters  under  the  firmament 
surrounds  our  earth  and  looks  to  our  are  meant  rivers,  lakes,  etc.;  by  those 
eyes  like  a  blue  dome.  above,  the  clouds. 


274 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


3.  Revelation  itself  tells  us  nothing 
regarding  the  real  space  of  time  that  the 
formation  of  the  world  required.  There 
are  however  many  opinions.  The  old 
and  largely  accepted  one  is  that  the 
days  of  creation  were  real  days  of 
twenty-four  hours  each.  A  more  recent 
opinion  is  that,  in  the  beginning,  the 
alternating  periods  of  light  and  darkness 
were  much  longer  than  they  are  now,  so 
that  each  day  may  have  been  thousands 
and  even  millions  of  years.  But,  be  the 
space  of  time  what  it  may,  two  truths  are 
clear  from  the  story,  namely:  that  the 
creation  of  the  universe  was  one  progres¬ 
sive  and  harmonious  plan,  and  that  each 
and  every  portion  of  it  was  the  work  of 
Almighty  God. 

4.  The  magnitude,  beauty,  order  and 
harmony  of  the  universe  declare  in  a  way 
that  man  cannot  but  understand,  the 
might,  and  goodness,  and  wisdom,  and 
glory  of  God. 

5.  The  exact  location  of  the  earthly 
paradise  here  spoken  of  is  not  known* 
but  many  suppose  it  to  have  been  the 
country  lying  between  the  highlands  of 
Armenia  and  the  Persian  Gulf. 

6.  She  shall  crush  thy  head:  In  these 
words  God  made  it  clear  that  through 
the  instrumentality  of  woman,  the  evil 
wrought  by  satan  wras  to  be  undone.  And 
this  promise  was  finally  accomplished  in 
the  Blessed  Virgin.  For,  in  giving  birth 
to  the  Savior,  who  saved  the  world  from 
sin,  she  may  be  truly  said  to  have  put 
an  end  to  Satan’s  power,  i.  e.,  crushed 
his  head.  Hence  the  Blessed  Virgin 
is  often  represented  as  standing  on  a 
globe,  having  under  her  foot  the  head 
of  a  serpent  who  holds  an  apple  in  his 
mouth. 


7.  Cherubim:  Angels  of  one  of  the 
higher  degrees. 

8.  No  event  in  the  entire  history 
of  mankind  should  be  more  calculated  to 
teach  us  the  great  evil  of  sin,  or  fill  us 
with  greater  dread  of  committing  it,  than 
the  fall  of  man.  What  an  evil,  indeed,  sin 
must  be  in  God’s  sight,  when  for  a  single 
act  of  disobedience  so  unspeakable  woe 
has  come  upon  the  whole  wrorld.  If 
a  single  sin  has  merited  such  a  punish¬ 
ment,  wrhat  may  not  be  expected  by  those 
who  frequently  and  flagrantly  fly  in  the 
face  of  the  Almighty! 

9.  It  repenteth  me:  This  and  other 
like  expressions  to  be  found  in  the  Bible 
are  merely  a  human  way  of  making  God 
speak.  In  this  case,  the  sacred  writer 
uses  the  expression  to  convey  in  a  forceful 
manner  how  great  was  man’s  ingratitude 
towards  God. 

10.  Flood  traditions  are  found  among 
many  people  besides  the  Hebrews,  the 
most  important  being  that  of  the  Baby¬ 
lonians.  They  all  bear  testimony  to  the 
truth  of  the  original  event. 

11.  Clean:  Clean  beasts  wTere  those 
fed  on  herbage,  such  as  cows,  sheep,  etc.; 
the  rest  wrere  classed  as  unclean.  Only 
clean  beasts  could  be  offered  in  sacrifice. 

12.  Holocaust:  A  kind  of  sacrifice  in 
wrhich  the  animal  wTas  first  killed  and  then 
wholly  burnt. 

13.  Smelled:  As  above  at  (8) — a 
human  w7ay  of  speaking  of  God,  signifying 
that  the  act  was  acceptable. 

14.  The  ark  is  a  type  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  It  was  established  by  the  will  of 
Almighty  God,  preserved  from  shipwreck, 
and  designed  to  save  those  who  entered 
into  it. 


NOTES 


27  5 


II. 

The  Patriarchs  (B.  C.  2348-1729)  Summary:  The  word  Hebrew 
means  “ one  who  crossed and  the  name  is  given  to  the  nation  from  the 
fact  that  Abraham ,  who  was  the  first  member  of  it,  crossed  over  the 
Euphrates  River  on  his  way  to  the  land  to  which  God  had  called  him. 
The  Hebrew  nation,  therefore,  is  made  up  of  the  children  of  Abraham. 
In  the  beginning  the  Hebrews  had  no  national  government,  but,  like  a 
great  family,  they  looked  to  the  authority  of  the  father  for  their  ride. 
Now  another  word  for  “ father ”  is  “ patriarch .”  And  the  three  great 
patriarchs  to  whom  the  Hebrews  looked  in  the  beginning  for  their  guidance 
were  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob.  The  main  points  of  the  histories  of 
these  men  are  to  be  found  in  the  stories  told  in  this  chapter. 


1.  Canaan:  The  land  now  known  as 
Palestine,  and  commonly  spoken  of  as 
the  Holy  Land,  from  the  fact  that  in  it 
our  Lord  lived  and  suffered  and  died. 
It  is  a  small  country  of  about  140  miles 
from  north  to  south,  and  forty  miles  from 
east  to  west.  It  lies  along  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  (For 
the  location  of  Canaan,  and  its  relation 
to  the  other  countries  of  the  East,  see 
map  printed  at  the  beginning  of  these 
notes.) 

2.  Two  hundred  and  five  years:  The 
span  of  man’s  life  in  those  days  was  much 
longer  than  it  is  now. 

3.  Haran:  A  town  on  the  upper 
Euphrates  River. 

4.  This  is  a  clearer  and  more  definite 
statement  of  the  promise  of  a  Redeemer 
made  to  our  first  parents.  This  same 
promise  goes  on  and  on  through  the  whole 
of  the  Old  Testament,  becoming  ever 
clearer  and  clearer  until,  at  last,  in  the 
mouth  of  Isaias  the  Prophet,  it  gives 
almost  a  perfect  picture  of  our  Lord’s 
suffering  and  death. 


5.  Melchisedech:  means  king  of  jus¬ 
tice.  He  wras  also  king  or  prince  of  the 
city  of  Salem,  which  means  “peace.” 
He  is  therefore  looked  upon  as  a  type  of 
our  Lord  who  was  above  all  others. 
King  of  Justice  and  Prince  of  Peace. 
He  is  a  type  of  our  Lord  also  in  that  he 
offered  an  unbloody  sacrifice  of  bread 
and  wine,  our  Lord  being  the  Eternal 
Sacrifice  offered  daily  on  our  altars  under 
the  unbloody  form  of  bread  and  wrine. 

6.  Salem:  Probably  an  old  name  for 
Jerusalem.  It  means  “peace.” 

7.  Abraham:  “  When  Abram  began  to 
be  ninety  and  nine  years  old,  the  Lord 
appeared  to  him  and  said,  ‘thou  shalt  be 
the  father  of  many  nations;  neither  shall 
thy  name  be  called  any  more  Abram  but 
Abraham .’  ”  The  word  Abraham  means 
“the  father  of  many  nations.”  It  is  the 
name  by  which,  henceforth,  the  father 
of  the  Hebrew  nation  is  known. 

8.  As  God  had  changed  Abram’s 
name  to  Abraham;  so  He  changed  Sarai’s 
name  to  Sara;  the  word  Sara  means 
Princess. 


276 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


9.  Isaac:  laughter. 

10.  Tempted:  i.  e.  tested  or  tried. 
God  does  not  tempt  as  we  understand  the 
word,  but,  by  trial  and  experience.  He 
makes  known  to  the  world  and  to  our¬ 
selves  what  we  are,  as  in  this  case  He 
made  known  the  singular  faith  and 
obedience  of  Abraham. 

11.  The  land  of  vision:  i.  e.  Moriah. 

12.  Isaac,  Abraham’s  only  son,  in 
willingly  submitting  himself,  in  obedience 
to  his  father’s  will,  to  be  sacrificed,  even 
carrying  upon  his  back  the  wood  where¬ 
upon  he  was  to  be  offered  up,  is  a  type 
of  our  Blessed  Lord,  the  only  Begotten 
of  God,  who,  in  obedience  to  His  Father's 
will,  offered  up  His  life,  a  sacrifice  for  the 
sins  of  all  mankind. 

13.  Abraham’s  care  to  have  his  son 
marry  one  of  the  same  religious  faith 
as  himself  shows  that  even  from  the 
beginning  mixed  marriages  were  regarded 
as  a  great  evil. 

14.  Pottage:  a  soup  of  lentils. 

15.  Birthright:  The  birthright  was  of 
great  value  as  conferring  many  important 
rights  upon  its  possessor,  as  for  example 
a  double  portion  of  the  father’s  inheri¬ 
tance. 


16.  Esau’s  folly  in  bartering  his 
birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage  was  very 
slight  as  compared  with  the  folly  of  those 
who  for  the  passing  pleasure  that  mortal 
sin  seems  to  offer,  barter  away  the 
priceless  birthright  to  eternal  glory. 

17.  Here  again  we  see  the  care  taken 
to  avoid  those  alliances  which  might 
have  a  tendency  to  weaken  the  faith  of 
the  Israelites. 

18.  This  is  no  other  hut  the  house  of 
God  and  the  gate  of  Heaven:  These  words 
have  been  singled  out  and  made  to  apply 
to  our  churches  which,  through  the 
Eucharist  on  the  altar,  are  indeed  the 
house  of  God,  and  through  the  sacraments 
are,  verily,  the  gate  to  Heaven. 

19.  The  sons  of  Jacob:  The  descend¬ 
ants  of  these  twelve  sons  of  Jacob  are 
known  as  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel. 
Though  they  formed  a  single  nation,  they 
ever  preserved  their  family  distinctness. 
The  sons  of  Jacob  are  types  of  the 
twelve  apostles. 

20.  Israel  means  the  strength  of  God. 
Hence  the  name  Israelites,  i.  e.,  the 
descendants  of  Israel,  which,  in  after 
time,  became  the  common  appellation  of 
the  Hebrew  nation. 

21.  Phanuel:  face  of  God. 


III. 

Joseph  and  His  Brethren  (B.  C.  1729-1706)  Summary:  Most 
of  the  sons  of  Jacob  led  obscure  lives  as  shepherds;  but  one  of  them , 
Joseph ,  was  a  man  of  commanding  personality  and  great  gifts.  After  a 
life  of  strange  adventures ,  Joseph  became  ruler  of  Egypt  under  King 
Pharao,  and  as  such  was  able  to  preserve  the  Israelites  from  possible 
extinction.  The  Biblical  account  of  Joseph's  wonderf  ul  rise  from  being 
a  poor  shepherd  lad  to  ruler  of  Egypt ,  and  of  his  dealing  with  his 


NOTES 


277 


people  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  stories  in  all  literature.  It  is  here 
given  in  its  entirety. 


1.  Dream:  This,  like  many  another 
dream  spoken  of  in  the  Bible,  was  a 
supernatural  vision.  Generally  speaking, 
the  observance  of  dreams  is  condemned 
in  Scripture  as  superstitious  and  sinful. 

2.  Worshipping:  not  in  the  sense  of 
divine  worship,  but  as  paying  obeisance 
and  reverence. 

3.  Dothain:  12  miles  north  of  Sichem 
on  a  caravan  route  between  Syria  and 
Egypt. 

4.  Twenty  pieces  of  silver:  about 
twelve  dollars. 

5.  Rending  his  garments:  this  act  was 
the  accepted  manner  of  outwardly  ex¬ 
pressing  profound  sorrow  or  abhorrence. 

6.  Put  on  sackcloth:  this  was  the 
accepted  manner  of  outwardly  expressing 
mourning  and  penance. 

7.  Pharao:  i.  e.,  the  sun;  it  was  the 
title  of  the  king  of  Egypt,  much  in  the 
same  sense  as  we  speak  of  the  Sultan  of 
Turkey  as  the  Sublime  Porte. 

8.  Interpret:  i.  e.,  explain  its  meaning 

9.  The  interpreters  were  members  of 
the  literary  class  of  Egypt  who  were 
supposed  to  be  skilled  in  the  explanation 
of  dreams,  omens,  and  the  signs  of  the 
heavens. 

10.  Shaved  him:  It  was  the  custom  of 
the  Jews  to  wear  beards,  whereas  the 
Egyptians  were  smooth  of  face. 

11.  Without  me:  Joseph  takes  no 
credit  to  himself,  but  like  a  true  Israelite 
makes  himself  merely  the  mouthpiece 
of  the  Almighty. 

12.  Go  to  Joseph:  These  wrords  are 
taken  up  and  applied  by  the  Church  to 


St.  Joseph,  who,  on  account  of  his  close 
relationship  to  our  Lord,  seems  to  be 
like  Joseph  of  old,  the  dispenser  of  graces 
to  all  that  apply  to  him. 

13.  Benjamin  was  the  youngest  of 
the  twelve  sons  of  Jacob,  and  as  such  was 
greatly  treasured  by  his  father. 

14.  Dreams:  namely,  the  dreams 

about  the  wheat  sheaves  wherein  his 
brethren  were  pictured  as  bowing  down 
to  him, — a  dream  now  fulfilled. 

15.  Washed  their  feet:  a  ceremony 
always  observed  in  the  east  on  entering 
a  household. 

16.  And  they  wondered  very  much:  i.  e., 
they  were  greatly  surprised  that  Joseph 
(whom  they  did  not  recognize)  should 
know  their  ages  so  well  as  to  be  able  to 
place  them  according  to  seniority. 

17.  Messes:  Portions  sent  to  guests  as 
a  special  mark  of  attention.  At  an 
Egyptian  feast,  the  guests  sat,  not  around 
a  table,  but  in  rows  of  chairs  facing  a 
sideboard  from  which  the  viands  were 
served  to  them. 

18.  Divineth:  that  is,  by  pouring  in 
water,  and  then  throwing  in  gold,  silver 
or  gems,  and  watching  the  movement 
in  the  water.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  Joseph  is  still  supposed  to  be  an 
Egyptian  lord. 

19.  God  sent  me  into  Egypt  for  your 
preservation:  an  evidence  of  the  Israelite’s 
abiding  trust  in  the  existence  of  a  cove¬ 
nant  w  hereby  God  is  to  be  the  Ruler  and 
Deliverer  of  Israel. 

20.  Put  his  hands  upon  thy  eyes:  that 
is,  perform  the  last  office  of  the  dead. 


278 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


21.  Gessen:  a  low,  fertile  district 
stretching  from  the  east  of  the  Nile  delta 
to  the  Isthmus  of  Suez. 

22.  Ramasses:  a  city  of  Gessen. 

23.  Joseph  is  regarded  as  a  type  of 
our  Lord;  like  Him  he  was  sold  for  a 


fewr  pieces  of  silver  by  those  who  should 
have  loved  him;  like  Him  again,  he 
suffered  with  two  criminals,  to  one  of 
whom  he  foretold  pardon;  and  finally,  like 
Him,  though  in  a  more  restricted  sense, 
he  was  known  as  the  Savior  of  the  world. 


IV. 

Moses  and  the  Ten  Plagues  (B.  C.  1706-1491)  Summary:  After 
Joseph's  death  the  Israelites  fell  lower  and  lower  in  the  eyes  of  the  Egyp¬ 
tians  until  at  length  they  were  reduced  to  the  position  of  slavery.  Thus 
they  continued  for  almost  two  hundred  years ,  when  God  raised  up  Moses , 
one  of  their  own  nation ,  to  deliver  them.  The  story  of  how  Moses  wrought 
this  deliverance  is  the  story  of  what  are  known  as  the  ten  plagues — that 
series  of  terrible  visitations  sent  by  God  upon  the  Egyptians  to  make 


them  consent  to  allow  the  Israelites  to 
story  of  these  plagues  and  the  iru 
subject-matter  of  this  chapter. 

1.  Sedges:  That  is,  the  long  grassy 
plants  that  grow  on  a  river  brink. 

2.  Moses:  rescued  from  the  waters. 

3.  Fled  from  the  sight  of  Pharao: 

Moses  fled  from  the  face  of  Pharao  be¬ 
cause  one  of  his  own  countrymen,  w  ho  had 
been  reproved  by  him  for  something  he 
had  done  and  was  angry,  threatened  to 
expose  him  to  Pharao,  because  one  day 
he  had  inflicted  merited  punishment  on 
a  tyrannous  Egyptian.  Moses  knew  that 
exposure  wrould  mean  death;  so  he  fled. 

4.  Madian  was  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Mt.  Sion. 

5.  Horeb:  Probably  a  distinct  peak  of 
Mt.  Sinai. 

6.  Flowing  with  milk  and  honey:  A 

figurative  way  of  expressing  the  richness 
of  the  land. 


depart  from  the  land.  The 
that  led  up  to  them  form  the 

7.  I  am  who  am:  In  Hebrew,  the 
name  of  God  is  written  “  J-H-V-H”  with¬ 
out  any  vowels.  It  was  a  sacred  name, — 
so  sacred  that  the  Jewrs  did  not  use  it, 
but,  instead,  the  word  Adonai,  which 
means  Lord.  In  consequence  of  not 
pronouncing  it,  it  came  to  pass,  after  a 
long  time,  that  its  true  pronunciation 
became  lost.  In  the  16th  century  the 
vowels  “e-o-a”  were  put  into  it  making 
it  read  JeHoVa.  But  now  w1 2 3 4 5 6 7e  know  that 
these  vowels  did  not  give  it  the  true 
pronounciation  and  that  the  probable 
pronounciation  was  JaH-VeH.  Its  mean¬ 
ing  is  “I  am  who  am.”  It  comes  from 
the  verb  “to  be.” 

8.  Siniphs:  The  same  as  gnats. 

9.  The  abominations  of  the  Egyptians: 
By  this  is  meant  that  the  sacrificial 


NOTES 


279 


animals  of  the  Israelites,  such,  for  ex¬ 
ample,  as  the  cow,  were  sacred  to  some 
Egyptian  god  or  other  in  the  idolatrous 
worship  of  the  Egyptians  and  if  sacri¬ 
ficed  would  lead  to  punishment. 

10.  Murrain:  A  cattle  plague. 

11.  Blains:  An  old  word  for  blister. 

12.  The  Lord  hardened  the  heart  of 
Pharao:  In  the  earlier  stages  of  the  story, 
it  is  said  that  Pharao' s  heart  was  hardened, 
or  that  Pharao  hardened  his  heart, 
whereas  in  the  later  portions  the  ex¬ 
pression  used  is  that  the  Lord  hardened 
Pharao' s  heart.  Voluntary  yielding  to 
evil  produces  in  time  a  tendency  to  evil 
that  can  hardly  be  resisted.  What 
happens  by  a  law  of  God's  providence 
may  largely  be  said  to  be  done  by 
God. 

13.  Locusts:  A  kind  of  grasshopper. 


14.  Unleavened  bread:  Bread  without 
yeast. 

15.  Lettuce:  Here  it  means  a  bitter 
herb. 

16.  A  memorial:  The  feast  of  the 
Passover  is  celebrated  to  this  day  by 
the  Jews  as  a  remembrance  of  their 
deliverance.  Among  Christians,  the 
feast  of  Easter  has  taken  its  place 
because  for  us,  our  Lord  is  the  real 
Paschal  lamb,  who  by  His  sacrifice,  which 
took  place  on  the  very  feast  of  the 
Jewish  Passover,  delivered  us  from  the 
slavery  of  satan,  and  opened  to  us  the 
gates  of  a  happy  eternity. 

17.  Pillar  of  cloud,  pillar  of  fire:  It  is 
customary  even  to  this  day  for  a  caravan 
in  the  Arabian  desert  to  have  the  leader 
carry  aloft  a  brazier  of  coals  so  that  its 
smoke,  by  day,  and  its  glowr,  by  night, 
may  be  a  guide  to  stragglers. 


V. 


The  Exodus  (B.  C.  1491-1451)  Summary:  The  Exodus ,  which 
means  flight ,  tells  the  story  of  the  journey  of  the  Israelites  from  Egypt 
to  their  own  land  of  Canaan.  It  is  a  wonderful  story  of  how  a  cloud 
led  them  by  day  and  a  fire  by  night ,  of  hoiv  bread  fell  from  heaven  and 
water  issued  from  a  rock  to  supply  them  with  food  and  drink ,  of  how 
God ,  in  the  midst  of  thunder  and  lightning ,  made  known  to  them  His  will , 
and  of  how,  on  account  of  their  lack  of  trust  in  God,  they  were  condemned 
to  wander  for  forty  years  in  the  wilderness.  The  stories  of  all  these 
happenings  form  the  most  marvelous  record  to  be  found  in  the  history 
of  any  nation.  The  most  striking  of  them  are  here  reproduced. 


1.  By  wilderness  we  do  not  neces¬ 
sarily  understand  a  sandy  desert  like  the 
Sahara,  but  rather  only  an  uninhabited 
and  uncultivated  country. 


2.  The  wood  which  made  the  waters 
sweet  is  the  type  of  the  cross,  through 
which  the  bitter  things  of  this  world  are 
made  sweet  unto  life  eternal. 


280 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


3.  The  mountain:  i.  e.,  Mt.  Sinai. 
(See  map  printed  at  beginning  of  notes 
for  location  of  Mt.  Sinai  as  well  as  for 
route  followed  by  the  Israelites  during 
their  wanderings.) 

4.  This  tremendous  exhibition  of 
nature  accompanying  the  giving  of  the 
commandments  was  intended  to  help  the 
people  to  appreciate  their  awful  solemnity. 

5.  These  commandments  are  to  be 
found  in  our  catechisms;  only  they  are 
there  given  in  a  somewhat  abbreviated 
form. 

G.  Two  stone  tables:  The  first  three 
commandments  which  teach  the  duties 
of  man  towards  God  were  written  on  one 
of  the  tables;  on  the  other,  wrere  to  be 
found  the  last  seven  which  teach  the 
duties  of  man  towards  his  neighbor. 

7.  First  fruits:  The  very  best  of  wrhat 
they  had. 

8.  The  Tabernacle  of  the  Testimony: 
So  called  because  it  contained  the  tables 
of  the  law,  or  testimony. 

9.  Moses  set  it  up:  This  he  did  in  ac¬ 
cordance  with  minute  instructions  which 
he  had  received  from  God.  While  on  the 
mountain,  besides  receiving  the  com¬ 
mandments,  Moses  received  a  complete 
and  detailed  account  of  how  everything 
pertaining  to  religious  worship  should  be 
regulated. 

10.  Gomor:  A  measure  amounting  to 
a  little  more  than  seven  pints. 

11.  Manna:  This  is  the  same  word  as 
“Manhu,”  meaning  “what  is  it.” 

12.  The  manna  is  a  type  of  the 
Blessed  Sacrament.  Of  this  our  Lord 
Himself  gives  us  an  assurance  in  a 
sermon  He  delivered  in  a  synagogue  at 
Capharnaum.  That  sermon  is  to  be 


found  in  the  6th  chapter  of  St.  John’s 
Gospel,  and  should  be  read. 

13.  The  rock  from  which  the  water 
flowed  in  the  wilderness  typefied  Christ. 
Our  Lord,  in  one  of  His  sermons,  re¬ 
corded  in  the  7th  chapter  of  St.  John’s 
Gospel,  speaks  of  himself  as  a  fountain, 
saying,  “If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
to  me,  and  drink.”  Out  of  Chirst’s  side, 
on  the  cross,  gushed  forth  a  fountain 
which  has  given  refreshment  and  hope 
to  the  whole  world. 

14.  Amelec:  The  name  of  a  nomadic 
tribe  on  the  southern  borders  of  Canaan. 
Their  position  would  naturally  cause  them 
to  dispute  the  progress  of  the  Israelites, 
and  to  prevent,  if  possible,  their  occu¬ 
pation  of  the  land. 

15.  The  land  of  Canaan  may  be 
viewed  as  made  up  of  three  distinct  strips, 
running  north  and  south:  (1)  a  fertile 
plain  along  the  coast  of  the  Mediter¬ 
ranean  Sea;  (2)  a  back-bone  of  lime 
stone  mountains,  knowrn  as  the  “hill 
country;”  and  (3)  a  valley  running  along 
the  bank  of  the  Jordan  River.  Beyond 
the  river  rose  the  high  lands  of  Moab  and 
Galaad.  The  inhabitants  of  the  land, 
called  Canaanites,  were  divided  by  the 
broken  hilly  country  into  numerous 
little  kingdoms,  and  were  often  at  war 
with  one  another.  (Confer  relief-map.) 

16.  Lever:  i.  e.,  a  pole  carried  on  the 
shoulders  of  two  men  who  wralked  one 
in  front  of  the  other.  The  manner  of 
carrying  the  clusters  helps  one  to  imagine 
how  large  they  must  have  been. 

17.  The  murmurings  of  the  people 
because  the  spies  had  brought  report 
that  the  country  to  which  Moses  was 
leading  them  was  inhabited  by  giants 


NOTES 


281 


who  lived  in  walled  cities.  They  felt  that 
he  was  only  leading  them  to  destruction. 

18.  Devoureth  its  inhabitants:  i.  e.,  by 
its  continual  warfare. 

19.  All  the  multitude  is  holy:  The  idea 
is  that  every  man  can  communicate  with 
God  directly,  and  that  therefore  there  is 
no  need  of  a  special  order  of  priests  to  act 
as  intermediaries.  This  doctrine,  which 
is  still  taught  by  some  people,  was  here 
clearly  shown  to  be  heretical  by  Almighty 
God  himself. 

20.  There  is  a  very  beautiful  legend 
which  says  that  the  method  here  adopted 
to  find  out  the  will  of  the  Lord  was  made 
use  of  in  the  selection  of  a  husband  for 
the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  According  to 
the  legend,  rods  of  suitors,  to  the  number 
of  three  thousand,  were  laid  up  before 
the  Lord,  among  them  being  one  belong¬ 
ing  to  the  elderly  Joseph.  And  in  the 
morning,  when  the  rods  wrere  returned, 
it  came  to  pass  that  when  Joseph  stretched 
forth  his  hand  to  receive  his,  there  came 
forth  from  the  top  of  it  a  dove,  whiter 
than  snow  and  most  beautiful,  which 
after  resting  on  the  head  of  Joseph,  and 
fluttering  a  long  time  amid  the  pinnacles 
of  the  temple,  at  length  flew  towards 
Heaven. 

21.  This  very  light  food:  viz.,  the 
manna. 

22.  The  brazen  serpent  set  upon  the 
pole  is  a  type  of  our  Lord  upon  the  cross. 
Our  Lord  himself  made  reference  to  the 
brazen  serpent  in  one  of  His  sermons 
when  He  said,  “As  Moses  lifted  up  the 
serpent  in  the  desert,  so  must  the  Son 
of  Man  be  lifted  up,  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  Him,  may  not  perish,  but 
may  have  life  everlasting.”  (John  III-14 


seq.).  The  evil  one,  who  in  the  garden 
of  Paradise  first  appeared  as  a  serpent, 
is  still  mercilessly  wounding  his  victims, 
but  a  look  to  Christ  on  the  cross  will 
bring  relief. 

23.  Josue:  He  had,  all  during  the 
wanderings,  acted  as  minister  to  Moses. 
He  it  was  that  led  the  hosts  against 
Amelec,  and  he  was  one  of  those  sent  up 
to  spy  out  the  Promised  Land. 

24.  Nebo:  a  mountain  east  of  the  Red 
Sea. 

25.  On  the  occasion  of  the  striking 
of  the  rock  wdience  came  the  fountain 
of  water  in  the  desert,  Moses  had  shown 
impatience  and  a  want  of  perfect  trust 
in  God.  in  that  he  struck  the  rock  a 
second  time,  not  waiting  for  the  effect 
to  be  produced  by  the  first  blow.  This 
fault,  slight  as  it  may  seem,  was  the 
reason  why  God  denied  to  Moses  the 
happiness  of  entering  the  Promised  Land, 
though  He  permitted  him  to  look  upon 
it  from  a  distance.  The  incident  reveals 
the  magnitude  in  God’s  sight  of  sins 
which  to  us  seem  slight. 

2G.  The  subduing  of  the  land  of 
Canaan  was  accomplished  b\  Josue  in  a 
surprisingly  short  space  of  time  because, 
as  may  be  seen  from  the  way  Jericho  was 
taken,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  wTas  with 
him.  When.  it  was  subdued  it  was 
divided  among  the  twelve  tribes,  i.  e.  the 
descendants  of  Reuben,  Simeon,  Juda, 
Zebulon,  Issichar,  Dan,  Gad,  Aser, 
Nephtalie,  Benjamin,  Ephraim  and 
Manasses.  All  of  these,  save  the  last 
twTo,  were  sons  of  Jacob,  or,  as  he  is  also 
known,  Israel.  The  last  two,  Ephraim 
and  Manasses,  were  the  sons  of  Joseph, 
who  w7as  the  greatest  of  the  sons  of 
Jacob.  The  desc-endents  of  Levi,  who 


282 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


was  a  son  of  Jacob,  received  no  division 
of  the  land  as  they  had  been  set  apart  for 
the  priesthood  and  were  ordered  by  God 
to  live  on  the  offerings  of  all  the  people. 
They  had,  however,  forty-eight  cities 


given  to  them  throughout  different  parts 
of  the  country.  (The  portions  parcelled 
out  to  the  different  tribes  may  be  seen 
from  a  study  of  the  map  printed  at  the 
beginning  of  these  notes.) 


VI. 

The  Rule  of  the  Judges  (B.  C.  1451-1095)  Summary:  Israel 
was  unlike  any  other  nation  in  that  it  had  no  visible  ruler.  God  was 
the  only  Ruler  in  Israel ,  and  His  will  was  made  known  to  the  people,  first 
by  the  patriarchs ,  then  by  Moses ,  who  is  termed  a  prophet ,  ( which  means 
one  who  speaks  for  another ),  and  later  by  Josue.  Now  at  Josue's  death 
there  arose  no  one  of  so  commanding  a  character  as  to  be  accepted  by  the 
whole  nation  as  the  representative  of  Almighty  God.  Therefore ,  the  people 
began  to  look  again  to  the  heads  of  families,  or  to  local  leaders  for  direction 
and  guidance.  And  it  is  very  probable  that  this  guidance  would  have  been 
sufficient  had  the  Israelites  only  been  faithful  to  the  commands  that 
God  had  given  them ;  but  they  were  not.  God  had  commanded  them , 
through  Moses  and  Josue,  to  exterminate  utterly  the  idolatrous  nations 
that  had  inhabited  the  promised  land  before  their  arrival,  lest  association 
with  them  should  weaken  and  corrupt  their  faith  and  morals.  However, 
they  not  only  did  not  exterminate  them,  but  they  even  went  so  far  as  to  inter¬ 
marry  with  them  and  to  associate  with  them  in  trade  and  business.  As 
a  consequence,  the  Israelites  weakened  in  their  faith  and  fell  into  most 
detestable  and  wicked  idolatrous  practices.  Now  God  was  greatly  offended 
with  them  for  this  course,  and,  to  punish  them,  He  allowed  them  at  different 
times  to  fall  subject  to  one  or  other  of  the  heathen  nations  round  about. 
On  such  occasions,  heads  of  families  and  local  leaders  were  unable  properly 
to  direct  and  govern  the  people.  So,  in  answer  to  prayers  and  promises 
to  reform,  God  raised  up  men,  whom  the  people  called  judges ,  to  deliver 
them  and  rule  over  them  in  His  name.  There  were  fifteen  of  these 
judges  who  ruled  at  intervals  covering  a  space  of  three  hundred  years. 
The  many  stories  of  their  deeds  are  told  in  the  book  of  the  Bible,  known 
as  the  Book  of  Judges.  Only  a  feiv  of  these  stories  are  here  reproduced, 


NOTES 


283 


but  they  are  probably  the  most  striking  ones ,  and,  are  sufficient  to  furnish 
us  with  a  connected  account  of  the  main  theme  of  the  period. 


1.  Baal:  Literally  it  means  “posses¬ 
sor.”  It  was  the  name  given  to  a  Ca- 
naanite  divinity  thought  of  as  possessing 
the  soil  and  controlling  its  fertility. 

2.  Astaroth:  A  Semitic  goddess  which, 
like  Baal,  was  thought  of  as  controlling 
the  fertility. 

3.  Delivered  them:  Not  the  whole  of 
the  Israelites,  but  probably  one  tribe, 
one  of  those  living  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Jordan,  close  to  the  Madianite  territory. 

4.  The  Madianites  were  a  people 
leading  a  wandering  life  in  the  vast  des¬ 
ert  region  to  the  east  of  Palestine. 

5.  The  wine  'press  was  a  shallow  pit 
from  which  the  grape  juice  was  pressed 
out  into  deeper  vats. 

6.  The  Philistines  lived  along  the  shore 
of  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  They  were 
an  idolatrous  nation  which  caused  more 
havoc  and  misery  to  the  Israelites  than 
any  other  of  the  surrounding  peoples. 

7.  Nazarite  means  one  w’ho  was  conse¬ 
crated  to  Jehova  by  a  special  vow.  He 
vowred  to  leave  his  hah-  uncut,  both  as 
being  itself  consecrated,  and  as  making 
him  one  devoted  to  the  Lord.  One 
could  become  a  Nazarite  for  a  certain 
period.  When  the  period  was  over,  the 
hair  might  be  sacrificed  at  the  sanctuary. 
Samson  was  consecrated  from  his  birth. 

8.  As  they  did  to  me,  so  have  I  done  to 
them:  The  Philistines  had  dealt  unjustly 
with  Samson;  they  had  deprived  him  of 
his  wife,  and  broken  up  bis  home. 

9.  Sinews:  Fresh  cut  bowstrings. 

10.  Dagon:  The  principal  god  of  the 
Philistines.  He  is  usually  supposed  to 


be  a  fish  god,  and  is  represented  as  being 
half  fish  and  half  man. 

11.  To  play  before  them:  i.  e.  to  be 
made  sport  of. 

12.  No  razor  shall  come  upon  his  head: 
i.  e.  he  shall  be  consecrated  to  God. 

13.  Samuel  means  “asked  of  God.” 

14.  Three  calves,  etc.:  These  articles 
were  brought  for  sacrifice  and  as  an 
offering  to  the  high  priest. 

15.  The  word  of  the  Lord  was  precious 
in  those  days — no  manifest  vision:  In  that 
period  the  priests  themselves  were  wicked 
and  the  answers  of  God  to  enquirers 
became  rare,  and  (like  to  Samuel)  secret. 

16.  May  God  do  so  and  so,  etc.,  was  a 
formula  used  in  the  ceremony  of  slaying 
an  animal  to  solemnize  an  oath. 

17.  Heli,  the  high  priest,  had  two 
sons,  Ophni  and  Phinees,  who  were  very 
wicked.  When  worshippers  came  to  offer 
sacrifice,  they  appropriated  the  offerings, 
with  the  result  that  the  people  began  to 
fall  awray  from  the  practice  of  religion 
altogether.  Heli  knew  this  but,  though 
he  gently  reproved  them,  he  took  no 
severe  measure  to  put  a  stop  to  their 
wickedness.  God,  in  consequence,  made 
known  to  Heli  that  the  direst  kind  of 
evils  would  come  upon  him  and  the 
nation.  And,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  such 
evils  did  come.  The  Philistines  defeated 
the  Israelites  with  great  slaughter  in 
battle;  Ophni  and  Phinees  were  killed; 
Heli  met  with  an  accident  and  died 
suddenly;  and  worst  of  all,  the  Ark  of 
the  Covenant  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
idolaters  and  was  placed  by  them  in  the 


284 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


house  of  their  god,  Dagon,  where  it  re¬ 
mained  until,  finding  that  its  presence 
brought  misfortune,  it  was  sent  back 
again  to  the  Israelites. 

18.  The  word  teas  displeasing  to 
Samuel:  Because  the  demand  for  an 

earthly  king  w7as  equivalent  to  the  re¬ 


jection  of  the  rule  of  Almighty  God  who 
had  ever  been  regarded  as  sole  Ruler  in 
Israel. 

19.  Let  every  man  go  to  his  own  city 
was  an  indication  that  he  had  acceded 
to  their  request. 


VII. 


King  Saul  (B.  C.  1095-1056)  Summary:  After  the  victory  over  the 
Madianites,  some  of  the  Israelites  had  invited  Gedeon  to  become  king. 
But  he  was  true  to  the  principle  that  the  Lord  alone  should  reign  over 
His  chosen  people  and  he  ref  used  to  comply  with  the  request.  In  course  of 
time ,  however ,  this  demand  on  the  part  of  the  people  became  so  insistent 
that  Samuel,  the  last  and  greatest  of  all  the  judges,  was  directed  by  God 
to  hearken  to  it.  Samuel  annointed  Saul  as  the  first  king  of  Israel. 
But  though  Saul  himself  reigned,  he  was  found  to  be  unworthy;  and  for 
this  reason,  his  family  was  rejected  from  the  succession  to  the  throne. 
Whereupon  Samuel  annointed  David.  The  story  of  Saul’s  reign  and  of 
his  relations  with  David  are  told  in  this  chapter. 


1.  A  silver  side  w7as  equivalent  to 
about  seventy-two  cents.  Therefore  one 
quarter  of  a  silver  side  wrould  be  eighteen 
cents. 

2.  Seer:  i.  e.  prophet. 

3.  High  place:  i.  e.  hill  tops.  Begin¬ 
ning  as  a  natural  place  of  burnt-offerings, 
the  barren  hilltop  above  a  town  would 
in  course  of  time  become  its  sanctuary. 
Every  Canaanite  town  had  such  a  place 
for  the  worship  of  Baal  and  Astaroth. 
When  the  Israelites  took  possession  of 
the  land,  they  saw  the  appropriateness  of 
such  places  for  worship  and  adopted 
them.  But  unfortunately,  in  taking  the 
places  over,  it  often  happened  that  they 

t  - 

retained  also  some  of  the  objectional 


features  connected  with  the  idolatrous 
worship  which  formerly  had  taken  place 
upon  them.  This,  in  course  of  time, 
became  more  and  more  marked,  until 
in  the  end  the  “high  places”  became  the 
object  of  attack  on  the  part  of  the  pro¬ 
phets  as  seats  of  outright  idolatry. 

4.  They  eat  that  are  invited:  It  was 
part  of  the  rite  of  sacrifice  to  eat  the  flesh 
of  the  animal  sacrificed  after  its  blood  and 
fat  had  been  offered.  The  blood,  wdiich 
contained  the  life,  was  regarded  as  too 
sacred  to  be  eaten. 

5.  The  top  of  the  house:  In  Canaan 
the  houses  had  flat  roofs  which  served 
somewhat  in  the  same  capacity  as  a 
porch  on  a  house  in  this  country  — a 


NOTES 


285 


place  for  rest  and  recreation.  People 
used  to  sleep  upon  them  in  the  mild 
weather.  They  were  a  choice  place. 

6.  Vial  of  oil:  Oil  was  and  is  still  used 
in  the  ceremony  of  consecrating  kings  and 
priests. 

7.  Psaltery:  A  large  portable  harp. 

8.  Timbrel:  A  small  hand  drum. 

9.  Saul,  annointed  privately,  needed 
public  confirmation  before  he  could 
really  act  as  king.  This  calling  of  the 
people  together  was  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  this  confirmation. 

10.  God  save  the  Icing  was  the  formal 
expression  indicating  that  Saul  was 
acceptable. 

11.  The  incident  here  related  occurred 
some  considerable  time  after  the  event 
recorded  in  the  preceding  section.  Saul 
had  succeeded,  by  this  time,  in  firmly 
establishing  himself  in  Israel,  and  had 
overcome  most  of  the  inimical  nations 
round  about.  But,  as  he  grewT  in  power, 
he  withdrew  himself  further  and  further 
from  the  subjection  which,  in  the 
beginning,  he  had  shown  to  the  com¬ 
mands  of  God;  and  he  ended,  as  is  here 
shown,  by  a  direct  and  obstinate  follow¬ 
ing  of  his  own  will.  He  did  not  cease 
immediately  to  act  as  king,  but  his  fate 
wTas  sealed,  and  his  end  was  not  long 
delayed. 

12.  Amelec:  (see  note  14  under  Chap¬ 
ter  V). 

13.  Hath  not  executed  My  commands ; 
i.  e.  had  not  destroyed  everything  abso¬ 
lutely  as  the  Lord  had  commanded. 

14.  Bethlehemite:  Of  the  city  of  Bethle¬ 
hem. 

15.  Eliab:  One  of  the  sons  of  Isai. 

1G.  An  evil  spirit  from  the  Lord:  This 

is  an  expression  of  the  same  kind  as  that 
which  says  that  God  hardened  Pharao's 
heart.  The  consequence  of  sin,  though 


it  take  the  form  of  an  evil  spirit,  may  be 
said  to  be  sent  by  God  whose  providence 
unites  suffering  and  sinning  together. 

17.  A  skilful  player:  David’s  skill  as 
a  harper  is  believed  to  have  been  acquired 
during  the  quiet  hours  when,  alone  on  the 
hillside,  he  pastured  his  sheep. 

18.  Of  great  strength:  An  idea  of  his 
strength  may  be  gained  from  the  fact 
that  alone  and  single  handed  he  strangled 
a  lion  and  a  bear  that  threatened  to 
ravage  his  flock. 

19.  Stand  before  me:  i.  e.  remain. 

20.  Six  cubits  and  a  span:  A  cubit  was 
the  length  of  a  man’s  arm  between  the 
wrist  and  the  elbow.  Six  cubits  and  a 
span  wrere  about  ten  feet. 

21.  Five  thousand  sides  of  brass  was 
about  150  pounds. 

22.  Six  hundred  sides  of  iron:  About 
eighteen  pounds. 

23.  Script:  The  amunition  bag  of  a 
slinger. 

24.  In  classical  and  other  ancient 
story,  the  friendship  of  young  men  holds 
a  prominent  place;  but  nothing  purer 
and  nobler  has  ever  been  known  than  the 
friendship  that  existed  between  David 
and  Jonathan. 

25.  Abisai:  A  relative  of  David,  and 
one  of  his  chief  officers. 

26.  A  spear  standing  upright  in  the 
ground  is  still  the  sign  of  the  sheikh’s 
tent  in  a  Bedouin  camp. 

27.  Saul’s  suicide  wras  the  crowming 
act  of  years  of  spurning  of  God’s  grace. 
It  was  a  terrible  ending  for  one  wTho,  in 
his  early  days,  had  been  deemed  so 
wTorthy  that  he  had  been  made  the  object 
of  special  predilection.  What  a  warning  it 
is  to  all,  of  the  immeasurable  consequences 
of  following  out  what,  in  the  beginning, 
looks  like  only  a  slight  disobedience! 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


286 


VIII. 

King  David  (B.  C.  1056-1016)  Summary:  King  David  is  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  figures  of  Hebrew  history.  He  not  only  gathered 
the  scattered  settlements  of  the  people  into  a  united  nation ,  but ,  as  poet 
and  musician ,  he  laid  the  foundation  of  the  world's  greatest  literature  in 
a  wonderful  series  of  psalms  that  came  from  his  pen.  He  was  a  man 
after  God's  own  heart.  But  on  one  sad  occasion  he  fell  from  grace  by  an 
unspeakable  crime  against  one  of  his  own  humble  subjects.  However , 
he  repented  of  his  sin ,  and  it  was  forgiven  him.  Afterwards,  he  had  to 


suffer  many  grievous  afflictions ,  oj 
of  his  son  Absolom.  The  stories , 
sorrow ,  are  told  in  this  chapter. 

1.  David  was  made  king  of  Israel 
when  he  was  thirty-seven  years  old. 
One  of  his  first  acts  was  to  establish  his 
capital  at  Jerusalem.  The  beginning  of 
his  reign  was  marked  by  great  military 
achievements:  (1)  the  conquest  of  the 
Philistines  and  the  capture  of  their  chief 
city;  (2)  victories  over  the  Moabites, 
Syrians,  Edomites,  and  Ammonites;  and 
finally  the  reduction  of  Rabbath,  with 
which  his  kingdom  reached  the  climax 
of  its  magnitude. 

2.  Nathan:  A  prophet,  and  David’s 
confidential  adviser. 

3.  I  have  sinned  against  the  Lord: 
David’s  repentence  was  life  long,  finding 
expression  in  a  series  of  penitential  psalms 
which,  for  depth  of  poignancy  and  beauty 
of  phrase,  have  no  equal  in  any  language. 

4.  Though  David’s  sincere  repentence 
had  obtained  for  him  forgiveness,  he  was 
not  excused  from  temporal  punishments 
even  in  this  world.  Indeed,  his  whole 
life  thereafter  was  filled  with  sorrows 
and  disappointments. 

5.  Polled.  Clipped  closely. 


which  the  saddest  was  the  rebellion 
both  of  his  sin  and  of  his  greatest 

6.  Two  hundred  sicles:  About  3  5-7 
pounds. 

7.  Joab:  Commander  and  chief  of 
David’s  armies. 

8.  Hebron  had  formerly  been  the 
capital  of  Israel  and  thus  became  the 
natural  choice  of  Absolom,  as  a  place 
to  which  the  people  would  naturally  turn. 

9.  Cedron:  The  brook  that  flowed 
along  the  foot  of  the  Mount  of  Olives, 
and  across  which  ran  a  bridge  connecting 
the  Mount  with  Jerusalem. 

10.  David,  in  his  crossing  of  the 
brook  Cedron,  in  the  sorrow  and  tribu¬ 
lation  of  his  ascent  of  the  mount  of 
Olives,  in  his  patience  and  forbearance 
when  outraged  and  insulted,  and  in  his 
later  triumphal  entry  into  the  city  of 
Jerusalem,  presents  a  striking  figure  of 
our  Blessed  Lord. 

11.  Sadoc:  One  of  David’s  most 
valuable  warriors. 

12.  Joab  did  not  wish  Achimaas  to 
be  the  bearer  of  bad  tidings  because  he 
felt  it  would  do  him  no  good,  and  he  had 
great  regard  for  him  on  account  of  Sadoc, 
his  father. 


NOTES 


287 


IX. 


King  Solomon  (B.  C.  1016-976)  Summary:  David  was  succeeded 
to  the  throne  by  his  son ,  Solomon ,  whose  reign  forms  the  most  splendid 
portion  of  Israel's  history.  During  his  rule ,  the  Temple ,  one  of  the  most 
wonderful  buildings  of  ancient  times ,  was  built ,  emrf  the  commerce 
of  the  nation  was  extended  to  the  most  distant  parts  of  the  known  world. 
Personally  he  was  renowned  near  and  far  for  his  profound  wisdom.  But 
his  great  exaltation  and  his  remarkable  prosperity  turned  out ,  in  the  end , 
to  be  a  misfortune  rather  than  a  blessing.  For  when  he  had  reached  the 
pinnacle  of  his  greatness ,  he  forgot  the  God  who  gave  him  all ,  and  yielded 
himself  to  the  hateful  practices  of  idolatry.  As  a  consequence  God  rejected 
him ,  and  disrupted  his  kingdom.  The  stories  of  all  these  happenings  form 
the  subject-matter  of  this  chapter. 


1.  This  Temple  when  completed  was, 
for  grandeur  and  magnificence,  one  of  the 
wonders  of  the  world.  It  was  built  on 
the  top  of  a  hill,  having  around  it  great 
terraced  courtyards,  made  one  below  and 
around  the  other  by  cutting  down  the 
hillside  all  around.  That  God  was  pleased 
with  it  is  evidenced  from  the  fact  that  at 
its  completion  He  came  down  in  the  form 
of  a  cloud  and  filled  it  with  His  presence. 
But  great  and  magnificent  as  it  was,  it 
did  not  merit  as  much  love  or  reverence 
as  one  of  our  humblest  chapels;  for  in 
our  chapels,  we  possess,  not  the  cloud  of 
God’s  presence,  but  His  very  self,  under 
the  appearance  of  bread  and  wine. 

2.  All  that  in  modern  times  is  called 
science  and  philosophy  was  called  by  the 
Hebrew  s  wfisdom. 

3.  Solomon’s  wonderful  prosperity 
turned  his  head  and  caused  him  to  forget 
that  all  that  he  was,  and  all  that  he  pos¬ 
sessed,  came  to  him  from  the  bountiful 


hand  of  God.  And  he  gloried  in  himself; 
for  which  reason  he  was  cast  down.  Well 
for  us,  if  learning  from  his  example,  w7e 
ever  preserve  ourselves  humble  and 
obedient  in  God’s  sight. 

4.  Go  home  to  your  dwellings:  This  was 
the  accepted  signal  for  starting  a  revolt 
among  the  Israelites. 

5.  As  a  consequence  of  this  revolt  the 
kingdom  of  Solomon  was  rent  in  twain. 
Ten  of  the  tribes,  occupying  the  northern 
section  of  the  country,  broke  away  and 
formed  a  separate  kingdom  of  their  owTn, 
retaining  the  old  name  of  Israel;  while 
the  two  tribes  in  the  south  continued 
faithful  to  the  line  of  David,  and  formed 
what  is  known  as  the  kingdom  of  Juda. 
As  might  be  expected  this  division  gave 
rise  to  continuous  warfare.  The  rulers 
of  the  two  opposing  kingdoms  ceased  not 
to  strive  with  each  other  until,  as  shall 
be  seen  later,  they  both  were  forced  to 
give  wyay  to  the  armies  of  foreign  nations. 


288 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


X. 

The  Kingdom  of  Israel  (B.  C.  976-721)  Summary:  Although  the 
Hebrew  people  as  a  whole  had ,  at  the  time  of  Samuel ,  demanded  a  king, 
a  minority  had  opposed  the  movement,  holding  to  the  old  principle  that 
God  alone  should  be  king  of  Israel.  In  the  difference  of  views  lay  the 
seed  of  bitter  strife.  True,  during  the  reigns  of  David  and  Solomon , 
this  strife  was  not  very  marked,  because  both  of  these  men  acted  largely 
in  the  capacity  of  God's  representatives,  and  were  accepted  as  such  by 
the  people.  With  the  division,  however,  there  came  to  the  throne  of 
both  kingdoms  men  who,  by  nature,  were  anything  but  the  representatives 
of  God.  Consequently,  the  strife  became  open  and  determined ,  In  the 
kingdom  of  Israel,  it  brought  out  Elias  and  Eliseus,  two  of  the  greatest 
prophets  that  the  nation  ever  produced.  These  two  men  labored  unceas¬ 
ingly  for  the  cause  of  God ;  but  the  kings,  who  were  wholly  given  up  to 
wickedness,  would  not  listen  to  them.  Indeed,  they  went  from  bad  to 
worse,  until,  at  length,  after  nineteen  of  them  had  reigtied,  during  a 
period  of  two  hundred  and  fifty -three  years, — the  patience  of  the  Almighty 
being  exhausted — the  whole  kingdom  was  delivered  over  to  the  power  of  the 
Assyrians,  and  carried  into  captivity.  This  chapter  will  be  taken  up 
with  the  stories  which  tell  of  the  struggle  between  the  kings  and  the  prophets, 
and  of  the  sad  event  with  which  it  ended. 


1.  By  leading  the  people  away  from 
their  regular  religious  practice,  Jeroboam 
succeeded  in  keeping  them  back  from 
their  rightful  king;  so  with  us,  a  failure 
to  fulfill  our  religious  duties  ends  ere  long 
in  keeping  us  away  from  God  entirely. 

2.  Jezabel  stands  out  as  one  of  the 
wickedest  women  of  history.  Nothing 
was  allowed  by  her  to  interfere  with  the 
accomplishment  of  her  designs;  and  her 
designs  were  ever  low  and  opposed  to 
the  designs  of  God. 

3.  This  was  as  a  punishment  for  his 
wickedness  in  allowing  Baal  to  be  wor¬ 
shipped  by  the  children  of  Israel. 


4.  According  to  the  word  of  the  Lord: 
The  Lord  had  so  directed  him,  because 
Achab  had  resolved  to  take  his  life. 

5.  He  that  troublest  Israel:  i.  e.  by 
causing  no  rain  to  fall. 

6.  Baalim:  the  plural  of  Baal. 

7.  That  is,  raving  and  uttering  their 
ecstatic  cries,  according  to  their  man¬ 
ner. 

8.  His  mantle:  This  was  recognized 
as  conferring  the  succession.  By  it, 
Eliseus  knew  that  he  should  be  prophet 
after  Elias. 

9.  This  illustrates  the  wickedness  of 
Jezabel. 


NOTES 


289 


10.  Stoning  to  death  was  the  legal 
penalty  for  blasphemy, — the  crime  which 
had  been  falsely  fixed  upon  Naboth. 

11,  12.  Both  of  these  prophesies  came 
to  pass.  Achab  was  killed  in  battle  and 
the  dogs  licked  up  his  blood;  while  dogs 
licked  up  the  blood  of  Jezabel  after  she 
had  been  slain  by  being  thrown  from  a 
window. 

IS.  A  double  'portion:  i.  e.  the  portion 
belonging  by  law  to  an  eldest  son.  Its 
reception  by  Eliseus  indicated  the  prom¬ 
inence  of  his  position. 

14.  The  chariot  of  Israel  and  the  driver 
thereof:  A  figurative  expression  meaning 
that  he  had  been  his  country’s  best 
defence  and  surest  guide. 

15.  Occasion  against  me:  i.  e.  an  excuse 
to  make  war. 

16.  Take  a  blessing:  i.  e.,  a  reward  of 
money  or  goods. 


17.  Hides  burden  of  earth:  The  God  of 
Israel  could  be  appropriately  worshipped 
only  on  Israelite  soil. 

18.  Remmon:  The  thunder-god  of  the 
Assyrians. 

19.  Not  once  or  twice:  i.  e.,  on  several 
occasions.  Through  the  direction  of 
Elias,  the  king  of  Israel  had  avoided 
pitfalls  which  had  been  secretly  laid  for 
him  by  the  king  of  the  Assyrians. 

20.  Troubled  for  this  thing:  i.  e.,  he 
was  mystified  how  the  king  of  Israel  had 
been  able  to  avoid  the  pitfalls  wdien  no 
one  but  his  own  counsellors  knew  any¬ 
thing  of  them. 

21.  All  the  host  of  heaven:  i.  e.,  the 
sun,  moon  and  stars. 

22.  Through  fire:  i.  e.,  they  sacrificed 
their  children  to  Moloch  the  god  of  the 
heathen  Ammonites. 


XI. 


The  Story  of  Judith  (probably  about  670  B.  C.)  Summary:  Not 
long  after  the  deportation  of  the  people  of  Israel ,  the  king  of  the  Assyrians 
determined  to  wreak  vengeance  on  Juda,  as  well  as  on  other  nations ,  for 
refusing  to  him  their  assistance  in  his  wars  against  the  Medes.  For  this 
purpose ,  his  general ,  Holofernes ,  came  with  a  mighty  army  and  set 
siege  to  a  mountain  town  of  Juda  called  Bethulia.  The  story  of  how  he 
came ,  and  how  his  mission  failed  through  the  fortitude  and  faith  of  a 
beautiful  woman  named  J udith ,  is  one  of  the  most  thrilling  in  the  whole 
Bible ,  and  clearly  shows  that  Jehovas  help  was  never  wanting  to  the 
Jews,  as  long  as  they  remained  faith f ul  in  His  service.  This  story  forms 
the  subject-matter  of  this  chapter. 


1.  There  are  many  things  about  the 
life  and  deeds  of  Judith  which  have  led 
the  Church  to  look  upon  her  as  a  type 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  Her  saving 


of  the  nation  by  cutting  off  the  head  of 
Holofernes  is  likened  to  Mary’s  part  in 
saving  the  human  race  by  crushing  the 
head  of  the  serpent;  both  were  spoken 


290 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


of  as  “blessed  among  women;”  Judith 
was  called  “the  glory  of  Jerusalem,” 
while  Mary  is  regarded  as  the  “glory  of 
the  heavenly  Jerusalem,”  where  she  sits 
enthroned  above  all  the  saints;  both 
were  devout;  both  heroic.  Only,  of 


course,  as  the  sun  surpasses  the  smallest 

* 

star  by  the  brightness  of  its  light,  so  does 
Mary  outshine  Judith  by  the  glory  that 
is  hers  from  the  Son  of  God,  of  whom  she 
is,  in  very  truth,  the  Mother. 


XII. 


The  Kingdom  of  Juda  (B.  C.  976-606)  Summary :  The  kingdom 
of  Juda ,  like  that  of  Israel ,  had  its  succession  of  riders ,  its  sins,  and  its 
internal  dissensions;  although,  on  the  whole,  it  showed  much  more  fidelity 
to  the  worship  of  God  than  its  northern  neighbor  did.  Like  Israel,  too,  it 
had  its  prophets,  who  spoke  in  God's  name  and  sought  to  win  the  nation 
from  its  infidelity.  Among  these  prophets,  Jeremias  stands  old  with 
special  prominence.  But  the  warnings  of  the  prophets  were  not  listened  to, 
and  after  existing  387  years  during  a  succession  of  twenty  kings,  it  also 
fell  victim  to  a  victorious  eastern  ruler  and  was  carried  into  captivity  in 
Babylon.  The  stories  connected  with  events  in  the  kingdom  of  Juda  have 
nothing  of  the  picturesqueness  of  those  connected  with  Israel's  history. 
Therefore  only  such  are  here  told  as  are  sufficient  to  furnish  an  idea  of 
the  main  theme  of  the  period. 


1.  The  law  ordered  lepers  to  live  in 
houses  apart. 

2.  From  the  first  day  that  I  spoke  to  you: 
i.  e.,  twenty-two  years.  For  twenty-two 
years  Jeremias  had  been  prophesying, 
pointing  out  to  the  Jews  in  no  uncertain 
terms  the  terrible  punishment  of  exile 
that  awaited  them  unless  they  mended 
their  ways  and  did  penance  for  their 
sins.  But  in  vain.  Their  only  answer 


to  his  warnings  was  to  plunge  deeper  and 
deeper  into  evil,  and  to  do  all  in  their 
power  to  silence  him.  He  was  at  length 
thrown  into  prison,  and  finally  put  to 
death. 

3.  Because  of  the  unfavorable  things 
it  foretold. 

4.  Nebuchodonosor  was  one  of  the 
most  illustrious  of  the  Chaldean  kings  of 
Babylon. 


XIII. 

The  Babylonian  Captivity  (B.  C.  606-536)  Summary:  The 
Babylonian  captivity  lasted  seventy  years.  Fragments  only  of  the 
history  of  that  period  have  come  down  to  us.  But  those  fragments  form 


NOTES 


291 


what  are  probably  the  best  known  and  most  appealing  stories  of  all  the 
Bible.  For  the  most  part  they  are  grouped  about  a  certain  Daniel  and 
three  less  distinguished  companions;  and  they  give  evidence  that  even  in 
its  captivity ,  the  chosen  nation  was  able  to  continue  its  mission  of  wit¬ 
nessing  for  God  to  the  rest  of  the  world.  Most  of  these  stories  are  told 


in  this  chapter. 

1.  Would  not  be  defiled:  The  Jewish 
law  forbade  certain  articles  of  food  to 
be  eaten  under  sin  of  defilement.  These 
were  the  food  that  Daniel  and  his  com¬ 
panions  refused  to  partake  of. 

2.  Pulse:  Vegetable  food. 

3.  Stood  in  the  king's  presence:  i.  e.} 
they  became  acknowledged  attendants 
at  the  court. 

4.  Sixty  cubits:  About  ninety  feet. 

5.  Nine  feet. 

6.  Sackbut:  A  kind  of  harp. 

7.  Symphony:  A  kind  of  bagpipe. 

8.  Baltassar  was  grandson  of  Ne- 
buchodonosor  and  succeeded  him  to  the 
throne. 

9.  Chaldeans,  soothsayers,  etc.,  all 
mean  the  same  thing.  Sooth  is  an  old 
word  for  truth.  Soothsayers  pretended 
to  read  the  truth  of  coming  events  in  the 


stars,  or  in  dreams,  or  by  other  such 
means.  The  Chaldean  nation,  of  which 
Babylon  was  the  capital,  was  so  far  ahead 
of  the  other  peoples  in  this  power  of  inter¬ 
preting  secrets  that  the  word  Chaldeans 
w7as  used  as  meaning  soothsayers. 

10.  And  his  glory  was  taken  away: 
Nebuchodonosor,  when  at  the  very 
height  of  his  power,  defied  God,  wherefor 
he  was  punished  by  being  deprived  of 
his  reason  and  sent  forth  to  the  woods 
and  fields  to  live  even  as  a  wild  beast. 

11.  Literally,  the  meaning  of  the 
w’ords  is  as  follow's:  Mene  means  num¬ 
bered;  Thecel  means  weighed;  P hares 
means  divided. 

All  who  saw  the  words  knew  their 
literal  meaning,  but  Daniel  alone  wTas 
able  to  supply  the  knowledge  w  hich  gave 
them  their  true  bearing. 


XIV. 

The  Story  of  Esther  (probably  about  470  B.  C.)  Summary: 
Another  glimpse  of  the  condition  of  the  Jews  in  foreign  lands  and  of  he 
vicissitudes  through  which  they  went ,  is  f  urnished  by  the  story  of  Esther. 
In  it  we  see  how,  through  a  woman's  courage  and  trust  in  God,  the 
Jews  were  saved  from  destruction  and  given  a  position  of  dignity  in  the 
empire.  The  story,  like  that  of  Judith,  teaches  the  great  lesson  that  God 


292 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


watched  over  His  chosen  people  even  in  the  midst  of  their  severest  trials, 
and  in  due  time  brought  about  the  destruction  of  their  enemies. 


1.  Assuerus  is  known  in  profane 
history  as  Xerxes  I,  one  of  the  most  . 
celebrated  of  the  Persian  kings. 

2.  Sat  at  the  city  gate:  In  eastern  life 
the  gate  of  a  city  or  palace  is  like  a  modern 
city  hall;  persons  linger  about  it  to  have 
their  affairs  taken  up  by  kings  or  magis¬ 
trates. 

3.  Of  the  race  of  Agag:  He  was  there¬ 
fore  a  member  of  the  Amelec  nation, — 
a  nation  that  had  always  been  the  foe  of 
Israel. 


4.  There  are  points  in  Esther’s  story 
which  cause  her  to  be  regarded  as  a  type 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin:  her  beauty  caused 
her  to  be  acceptable  to  the  king,  while 
Mary’s  beauty  made  her  acceptable  to 
the  King  of  Kings.  Esther  seems  to  have 
been  the  only  one  excepted  from  a  whole¬ 
sale  slaughter  of  the  Jews.  Mary  alone  of 
the  human  race  was  excepted  from 
original  sin.  Finally,  both  are  powerful 
in  their  appeals,  Esther,  with  the  king, 
in  favor  of  her  people,  Mary,  with  the 
Lord,  in  favor  of  all  men. 


XV. 


The  Nation’s  Rebirth  (B.  C.  536-397)  Summary:  The  prophet 
Jeremias  had  prophesied  that  the  Babylonian  captivity  would  last  for 
seventy  years;  and  in  the  event  his  prophesy  was  f  ulfilled.  At  the  end 
of  that  period,  the  Jews  were  allowed  to  return  again  as  a  united  nation 
to  their  beloved  land  of  Canaan.  This  return  was  not  a  single  incident , 
but  a  series  of  migrations  under  different  leaders,  covering  a  period  of 
more  than  a  hundred  years.  Of  these  leaders,  the  chief  were  Esdras  and 
Nehemias,  of  whose  deeds  a  brief  account  is  given  in  the  stories  of  this 
chapter. 


1.  In  the  first  year  of  Cyrus:  That  is, 
his  first  year  as  king. 

2.  Jeremias’  prophesy  is  as  follows: 
“For  thus  saith  the  Lord:  When  the 
seventy  years  shall  begin  to  be  accomp¬ 
lished  in  Babylon,  I  will  visit  you;  and 
I  will  perforin  my  good  word  in  your 


favor,  to  bring  you  again  to  this  place.” 
Jeremias  XXJX-10. 

3.  Though  many  companies  of  Jewish 
exiles  had  already  returned  to  the  land, 
Nehemias  was  the  first  to  attempt  the 
restoration  of  Jerusalem  as  a  fortress. 


NOTES 


293 


XVI. 


The  Machabees  (B.  C.  397-1  A.  D.)  Summary:  After  the  return 
from  captivity ,  the  Jews  lived  for  more  than  sixty  years  under  the  peaceful 
rule  of  the  Persians.  The  Persian  rule  was  followed  by  the  rule  of  the 
Greeks ,  which  also  was  peaceful  until ,  in  the  year  175  B.  C.,  Antiochus, 
called  the  Illustrious,  arrived  on  the  throne.  Under  Antiochus,  the  Jews 
suffered  a  persecution  which  has  hardly  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  any 
nation.  Goaded  to  extremes  by  this  cruelty,  the  Jews  revolted  under  the 
leadership  of  a  certain  Mathathias.  This  revolt  was  successf  ul,  and  for 
one  hundred  years,  they  enjoyed  independence  under  the  government  of 
members  of  their  own  nation.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  a  dispute 
having  arisen  between  rivals  for  the  throne,  the  Empire  of  Rome,  in  the 
person  of  Pompey,  interfered.  The  consequence  was  that  Palestine  became 
a  Roman  province. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  outline  of  the  history  of  the  Jews  from  the  return 
from  captivity  till  the  birth  of  our  Lord.  In  this  chapter ,  however ,  the 
stories  are  continued  only  as  far  as  the  dedication  of  the  Temple  under 
Judas  Machabeus,  partly  because  the  rest  of  the  account  as  given  in 
the  Book  of  the  Machabees  is  very  involved,  and  partly  because  it  is 
concerned  more  with  the  political  than  with  the  religious  development 
of  the  nation. 


1.  The  city  of  David:  This  does  not 
refer  to  Jerusalem  as  a  whole,  but  to  the 
citadel  on  the  hill  overlooking  the  temple. 

2.  Abominal  idol  of  desolation:  An 
altar  to  the  heathen  god  and  the  platform 
which  supported  the  altar  of  burnt 
incense. 

3.  To  have  eaten  swine’s  flesh  in  such 
circumstances  would  have  been  under¬ 


stood  as  equivalent  to  denying  the  faith. 

4.  Machabeus:  The  word  probably 
means  a  “hammer,”  a  name  applicable 
to  Judas  because  of  the  manner  in  which 
he  drove  back  the  armies  of  Antiochus. 

5.  Assideans:  The  word  means,  “the 
pious.”  This  party,  which  stood  out  for 
the  purity  of  worship,  later  on  became 
known  as  the  Pharisees. 


LIST  OF  PROPER  NAMES  WITH 
PRONUNCIATION 


A. 

Aaron,  ar'on. 

Abana,  a-ba'na. 

Abarim,  ab'-a-rim. 

Abel,  a'-bel. 

Abinadab,  a-bin'-a-dab. 
Abiron,  a-bi'ron. 

Abisai,  a-bis'al. 

Abner,  ab'-ner. 

Abraham,  a'-bra-liam. 
Abram,  a'-bram. 

Absolom,  ab'-sa-lom* 

Achab,  a'-kab. 

Achimaas,  a-kink-a-as. 
Adonias,  ad'-o-nk-as. 

Agog,  a'-gog. 

Agogite,  ik-gog-ite. 

Ahab,  a'hab. 

Ahava,  Li'-ha-va. 

Aion,  ak-on. 

Amelec,  ank-e-lek. 
Amelecites,  a-mek-e-cltes. 
Ammon,  am'-mon. 
Ammonites,  ank-mon-nltes. 
Amorite,  ank-or-Ite. 

Ananias,  a-nan-k-as. 
Antiochus,  an-tk-6-chus. 
Aphec,  ar-fek. 

Aram,  a'- rain. 

Ararat,  ar'-a-rat. 

Arnon,  ar'-non. 

Artaxerxes,  ar'-tak-serk'-ez. 
Ascalon,  as'-ka-lon. 

Aser,  a'-ser. 

Asphenez,  as'-fe-naz. 
Assideans,  as-sl-de'-ans. 
Assuerus,  az-u-e'-rus. 
Astaroth,  as'-ta-roth. 
Astarthe,  as-tar'-the. 

Avah,  a'-vah. 

Azarias,  az-a-rk-as. 

B. 

Baal,  ba'-al. 

Baalim,  ba'-al-im. 


Babylon,  bab'-y-lon. 
Bahurim,  ba-luk-rim. 
Baltassar,  bal-taz'-zar. 
Baruch,  bfk-ruk. 

Basan,  ba'-san. 

Belial,  be'-le-al. 
Benjamin,  berk-ja-mm. 
Bersabee,  ber'-sa-be. 
Bethel,  beth'-el. 
Bethlehem,  beth'-le-hem. 
Bethoran,  beth-h5'ran. 
Bethsabee,  betlk-sa-bee. 
Bethuel,  beth-ik-el. 
Bethulia,  betlk-u-lk-a. 

C. 

Camarias,  kam-a-rk-as. 
Canaan,  lak-na-an. 
Canaanite,  ka'-nan-Ite. 
Carith,  ka'-rith. 

Carmel,  kar'-mel. 
Carmelite,  kar'-mel-ite. 
Chaldeans,  kal-de'-ans. 
Chaldees,  kal'-dees. 
Cherubims,  cher'-u-bims. 
Chusai,  kik-si. 

Cis,  cis. 

Core,  ko'-re. 

Cyrus,  cy'-rus. 

D. 

Dagon,  da'-gon. 

Dalaias,  da-lk-as. 
Damascus,  da-mas'-kus. 
Danites,  dan'-Ites. 

Darius,  da-rk-us. 

Datiian,  da'-tlian. 

Delila,  de-lk-la. 
Dorymenus,  dor-y-me'-nus. 
Doth ain,  do'-thane. 

E. 

Ecron,  elk-ron. 

Edom,  e'-dom. 

Edomites,  e'dom-ites. 


THE  DIVINE  TWILIGHT 


295 


Eglon,  eg'-lon. 

Egypt,  e'-gypt. 

Elam,  e'-lam. 

Eleazar,  e-le-a'-zar. 

Eli,  e'-li. 

Eliab,  e-ll'-ab. 

Eliam,  e-ll'-am. 

Elias,  e-li'-as. 

Elim,  e'-lim. 

Elimelec,  e-lim'-e-lek. 
Elisama,  e-li-sa'-TDa. 
Elnathan,  el-na'-than. 
Emath,  e'-math. 

Emmaus,  em'-ma-us. 
Ephraim,  e'-fra-im. 
Ephraimites,  e'-fra-im-ites. 
Esau,  e'-sau. 

Esdras,  es'-dras. 

Etam,  e'-tam. 

Ethai,  e'-thai. 

Ethbaal,  eth-ba'al. 
Euphrates,  eu-fra'-tes. 

G. 

Galaad,  gal'-a-ad. 
Galaodite,  gal'-a-od-Ite. 
Galgal,  gal'-gal. 

Galilee,  gal'-i-lee. 

Gath,  gath. 

Gedeon,  ggd'-e-on. 

Gibeon,  gib'-e-on. 

Giezi,  gi-a'-zi. 

Gilboa,  gil-bo'-a. 

Goliath,  go-li'ath. 

Gorgias,  gor'-gi-as. 

Goshen,  go'-shen. 

H. 

IIabor,  ha'-bor. 

Hachila,  hak'-ida. 

Hala,  ha'-la. 

Haman,  ha'-man. 

Haran,  ha'ran. 

Harbona,  har-bo'na. 

Hared,  har'-ed. 

Havila,  hav'-ida. 

Hebron,  he'-bron. 

Hesbon,  hes'-bon. 

Hetiiite,  hetlV-Ite. 
Holofernes,  ho-lo-fer'-nes. 
Horeb,  ho'-reb. 


I. 

Isaac,  I'-zak. 

I  saar,  i'-zar. 

Israel,  Iz'ra-el. 

Issachar,  Ts'-sa-kar. 

J. 

Jabboc,  jab'-bok. 

Jabes,  ja'bes. 

Japhet,  ja'fet. 

Jebusites,  jeb'-u-sites. 

Jehova,  je-ho'-va. 

Jemini,  jem'-i-m. 

Jericho,  jer'-i-ko. 

Jesse,  jes'-se. 

Jezabel,  jez'-e-bel. 

Joab,  jo'-ab. 

Joakim,  jo'-a-kim. 

Jonathan,  jon'-a-tlian. 

Joram,  jo'-ram. 

K. 

Kades,  ka'-des. 

Kenites,  ken'-Ites. 

L. 

Laban,  la'-ban. 

Lea,  le'-a. 

Lebanon,  leb'-a-non. 

Levi,  le'-vl. 

Levites,  le'-vltes. 

Lysias,  ly'-sl-as. 

M. 

Machabees,  mak'-a-bes. 
Maciiabeus,  mak-a-be'-us. 
Macpela,  mak-pe'da. 

Madian,  ma'-di-an. 

Malasar,  mada'-sar. 

Mamre,  mam'-re. 

Manahaim,  ma'-ua-im. 
Manassa,  ma-nas'-sa. 

Mara,  ma'-ra, 

Mathathias,  ma-tha-thi'-as. 
Medes,  medes. 

Megeddo,  me-ged'-do. 

Melca,  mel'ka. 

Melchisdech,  mel-kis'-e-dek. 
Mene,  ma'-ne. 

Merjba,  mer'-i-ba. 

Mesopotamia,  mes'-d-po-ta'-ml-a. 


296  LIST  OF  PROPER  NAMES  WITH  PRONUNCIATION 


Micheas,  ml-ka-'-as. 

Misacii,  mP-sa. 

Misael,  mis'-a-el. 

Moab,  mo'-ab. 

Moabites,  mo'-ab-Ites. 

Modin,  mo'din. 

Molec,  mo'lek. 

Moloch,  mb'-lok. 

Mordochai,  mor'-do-kai. 

Moria,  mo-rP-a. 

N. 

Naaman,  na'-a-man. 

Nabat,  na'-bfit. 

Naboth,  na'-both. 

Nabuchodonosor,  nab-u-ko-don'-6-sor. 
Nabuzardan,  nab-u-ziir'-dan. 

Naciior,  na'kor. 

Nathan,  na'-than. 

Nazarite,  naz'-a-rite. 

Nebat,  ne'-bat. 

Nebo,  n<P-bo. 

Nehimias,  ne-he-mP-as. 

Nephtalt,  neph'-ta-ll. 

Nerias,  ne-rPas. 

Nicanor,  ni-ka'-nor. 

Ninive,  mn-i-vay. 

Nisan,  nP-san. 

Nun,  nun. 

O. 

Ozias,  o-zP-as. 

P. 

Phacee,  ffp-cee. 

Phanuel,  fa-nu'-el. 

Pharan,  frP-ran. 

Pharao,  fa'-ro. 

Piiares,  fa'res. 

Pharphar,  far'-far. 

Pheleth,  fe'-leth. 

Philistines,  fl-lls'- tines. 

Phinees,  fin-'e-es. 

Piiogor,  fo'-gor. 

Pisgo,  pis'-ga. 

Pithom,  pP-thom. 

Potiphar,  pot'-i-fer. 

Ptolemee,  toP-e-mee. 

Purim,  pu'rim. 


R. 

Rachel,  ra'-chel. 

Rahab,  ra'hab. 

Rameses,  ra-me'-ses. 

Ramothg  al  a  ad,  ra'-moth  -ga  P-a  -ad . 
Raphidim,  raP-i-dim. 

Rebecca,  re-belP-a. 

Rimmon,  rinP-mon. 

Roboam,  ro-bo/-am. 

Rohab,  ro'-hab. 

S. 

Saba,  siP-ba. 

Sadoc,  sa-dok. 

Salmanasar,  sal-man-a'-ser. 

Salomi,  sa-lo'me. 

Samaria,  sa-ma'-ri-a. 

Sarai,  sa'-ra. 

Saraias,  sa-rP-as. 

Semai,  senP-al. 

Sepharvaim,  se-far'-va-im. 

Sichem,  se'kem. 

Sidonians.  si-do'-ni-ans. 

Sidrach,  sPdrach. 

Silo,  sP-lo. 

Sinai,  sP-nai. 

Sorec,  so'-rec. 

Susan,  su'-san. 

T. 

Thecel,  the'-cel. 

Theglathpholasar,  teg'-lath-fa-la/- 
ser. 

Tesbite,  tes'bite. 

Tob,  tob. 

Tyre,  tyre. 

U. 

Ur,  ur. 

Urias,  u-rP-as. 

V. 

Vastiii,  vas'thi. 

Z. 

Zares,  za/-res. 

Zebulon,  zeb'-u-lon. 

Ziph,  zif . 


9031 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 


01409703 


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